Abhishek Sharma is making a comeback in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026. In a must-win Super 8 clash, India needed a hero against Zimbabwe and Abhishek answered the call in style at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Thursday (February 26).
Abhishek Sharma returns to form in T20 World Cup 2026
The left-handed batsman played a brilliant inning of 55 runs in just 30 balls. Attacking with the very first ball, he hit four fours and four sky-high sixes and played an important role in India’s 72-run victory over Zimbabwe.
Abhishek was under a lot of pressure after failing to live up to the hype as, before this game, he had managed only 15 runs and was out for a duck three times. Many people have demanded the ouster of the young opening batsman, but the faith of the team management never wavered.
Also read: India’s qualification scenario after Zimbabwe clash in T20 World Cup 2026
Mohammad Hafeez praised Abhishek after his brilliant innings.
After the India vs Zimbabwe match, former Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez said a big thing. He said that teams support players not just for runs but for their character and attitude. He believes that Abhishek makes an impact whenever he comes out to bat.
Mohammad Hafeez said on Tapmad, “Abhishek Sharma is a very good player, and as I said earlier, the team that supports you is because of your character, your impact and your positive attitude. I think the entire management is very happy with him because whenever he plays, he is a very impressive player.”
Defending the Punjab player, the former Pakistan coach stressed that getting out on the first or second ball does not mean that he is out of form, but it shows that he plays fearless cricket. Hafeez also told that the coach is more worried about slow batting than getting out early.
Also read: ‘We need to be courageous’- Suryakumar Yadav is not happy with Team India’s performance after the win against Zimbabwe
Mohammad Hafeez appreciated Abhishek’s intention
Explaining his point, he said that if a batsman scores 15 runs in 20 balls, it will be a matter of big concern for the team management, but if a player attacks and falls early, it shows intent which matters most in T20 cricket. And on the big night in Chennai, Abhishek justified the team management’s faith in him.
The former Pakistan captain further added, “If I am the coach, if Abhishek gets out in the first 2 or 3 balls then it will not be a problem for me. But if he scores 10 or 12 runs in 20 balls, I will think that something is wrong. So, I think he supported Abhishek Sharma’s intention and the way he batted today shows confidence.”
Hafeez praised Team India for supporting Abhishek
Well, despite heavy criticism, Abhishek did not change his style but Abhishek stuck to his natural game and gave India the perfect start in the high-pressure match in Chennai. Hafeez reiterated that the team supports Abhishek’s intentions and that confidence is reflected in his batting.
He said, “That must have given a lot of confidence to the management in the dugout that I am the same Abhishek that you are counting on. I have not made myself the smarty-pants that I am talking about. I have not made myself the smarty-pants that I am talking about. I think they have supported Abhishek Sharma’s intention, and the way he batted today, it shows confidence.”
Mohammad Hafeez praised Abhishek Sharma fiercely
“If I was the India coach, a few zeros wouldn’t bother me. If Abhishek Sharma had scored 15 runs in 20 balls, it would have been a matter of concern for me. But the way he batted and showed intent, it gave confidence to the management.” pic.twitter.com/Z0Zk5rkatI
– Brutal Truth (@sarkarstix) 26 February 2026
