Former India coach Abhishek Nair praised Abhishek Sharma’s intelligence during the pressure-packed match against West Indies at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Out of form opener Abhishek Sharma was once again out early in the T20 World Cup 2026. He was out after scoring just 10 runs in 11 balls.
Nair believed that the opener lost his wicket because he was well aware of the fact that his slow batting could hurt the team. The former cricketer felt that it was a calculated and calculated action by the young batsman.
Abhishek Sharma shows rare slow batting performance against West Indies
The T20 format is mostly about scoring runs at a fast pace. Off form Abhishek Sharma could not do this. Since the number of overs is very limited, players from both teams need to take quick decisions. Sharma did the same. Since he was not scoring at the desired pace, he left space for the following batsmen in the line-up, which worked.
“Normally you measure it by how early you start and how you score more runs on fewer balls. Today (Sunday) it didn’t happen, but generally it is said that if you are unable to score runs, get out because others will get a chance. That’s the difference in T20 cricket. Shai Hope played the entire powerplay and then got out,” Nair said on Star Sports.
Team India benefited from Abhishek Sharma’s dismissal
The left-handed batsman tried to be aggressive, but could not succeed. If he stays on the pitch for a few more overs and faces a few more balls in the process, then, ultimately, the team could be under immense pressure with a huge demand rate.
“So when Abhishek Sharma got out after scoring nine runs off nine balls, it was okay. If he had batted more, others would not have got a chance, and it is not easy to make a comeback in T20 cricket. Yes, he did not score runs, but still he batted for the benefit of the team because he tried to take the strike rate and run rate up so that the team wins”, said the 42-year-old.
Former India coach praises Tilak Verma for supporting Sanju Samson
Nair also praised Tilak Verma for his explosive innings. While chasing 196 runs against West Indies, the middle-order batsman played an inning of 27 runs with a strike rate of 180.00. In his 15-ball innings, Verma hit four fours and a 6. Verma’s 27 off 15 might have provided some relief to India vs West Indies player of the match Sanju Samson, who helped India score an unbeaten 97 off 50 balls at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
The former India assistant coach further added, “There was so much dominance in that innings that I felt the pressure had gone off on Sanju Samson. As a set batsman, when you have scored 50, you want the batsman batting with you to hit fours and sixes to make your job easier.”
read more: “Don’t be sad…”: Rohit Sharma’s words are like gold for Sanju Samson amid T20 World Cup 2026
