India suffered a crushing 76-run defeat against South Africa in their T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 opener at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on Sunday (February 22).
The batting once again crumbled under pressure as India’s innings folded for 111 in 18.5 overs while chasing a stiff target of 188.
In particular, top-order batters Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma have come under the scanner for their lack of runs. While Abhishek has bagged three ducks in four innings, Tilak has produced scores of 25, 25, 25, 31 and 1.
On the eve of India’s next Super 8 clash against Zimbabwe, batting coach Sitanshu Kotak backed Abhishek to regain his rhythm but didn’t rule out the possibility of rejigging the top-order, including bringing Sanju Samson to the lineup.
"Abhishek's health was a little bad, and after that, there wasn't that much momentum. But in the last game (vs SA), he looked good, and over-thinking about one individual, personally, I never liked that," Kotak said during the pre-match press conference.
"If we focus so much on one person, then obviously, that person also will be under pressure. When he was scoring 80, 70, 90 in 30 balls or 100 in 40, 50 balls, that time nobody was discussing.
"Our job is to keep him in a good frame of mind. Once he starts hitting the ball again, you'll see the same Abhishek again. Now, in T20s, nobody can give a guarantee that he will do it in the next match. So, I think it's not far (Abhishek getting a big score)," he added.
Abhishek has found it tough against off-spinners in this tournament. The likes of Salman Ali Agha and Aryan Dutt dismissed him in the group stage.
While the India team management is mulling over the option to include Samson at the top, Kotak did not commit to the nature of the changes.
"There can be changes, yes, because two left-handers are opening, number three is left-handed, and opposition is bowling spin. I personally don't think there is any problem in that but because we lost the last game (against South Africa), we lost a wicket in the first over...obviously, any team would think," he said.
"We'll see how it goes because we never decide the team too early. And obviously, it's not fair to start telling your planning in advance. But there will be thoughts," he added.
The batting coach also refused to read too much into the sight of Samson batting ahead of Abhishek at nets here.
"So, one thing that is normal in every net, Abhishek doesn't bat to start with. Okay, he always bats in a second and a third pair (of batters). So, that's one thing. Sanju would normally always bat up if we have that space because Abhishek doesn't bat first up. And Sanju is the third opener and a wicketkeeper.
"So, he bats anywhere. Sometimes he wants to do some drills and he goes behind and does things. So, that's not an indication (of Samson's inclusion). Yes, definitely there will be thought about playing him. But nets don't give any indication," he stated.
Commenting on the underwhelming strike rate (118) of Tilak Varma, Kotak said: "There are no issues with Tilak because in the Pakistan game, our target (while batting first) was 175, and on that wicket that was good enough. Ishan gave a good start. The ball was spinning there (in Colombo). So, any team wouldn't want to go 3-4 wickets at a time."
"So. for Tilak also it is a matter of two boundaries. Sometimes a batsman doesn't get those balls. If he is at 34-35 in the 30th or 32nd ball, or at 28 in the 26th ball, if he gets one boundary, two boundaries and a six, then he will get a move on.
"So, I don't think there is a question of defending the ball. Neither does he have any such instruction nor does he think so himself. So, there is no tension over Tilak or Abhishek," he remarked.
(With PTI Inputs)
