India batter Abhishek Sharma finally found form as he smashed 55 runs in the recent T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8s game against Zimbabwe on February 26 in Chennai. This knock came after three ducks and a 15-run knock against South Africa in India’s big 76-run loss.
However, against Zimbabwe, Abhishek showed great composure, taking his time with the bat and scoring 55 off just 30 deliveries, peppering the boundary with four sixes and four fours. This and other contributions took India to 256/4 in 20 overs. India won the game by 72 runs as Zimbabwe made 184/6.
Reflecting on his comeback to form following a slump, Abhishek confessed he felt relieved and spoke openly about the unwavering support he had from his teammates and support staff during a difficult period.
"Of course, there’s a relief, but what I felt in the days I’ve spent with the team was that they had more belief than me, so I think that was the one thing I really enjoyed, and it actually made me a bit emotional as well. I wasn’t doing so well; I was trying my best, but still, it wasn’t coming out. The outcome wasn’t the best, but the way the teammates and coach all just wanted me to do well—I think that was the best thing, one of the best feelings I had in all these previous days," Abhishek said in a video posted by BCCI.
Speaking about the dressing-room culture, Abhishek stated that the camaraderie within the squad extends beyond cricket, describing the group as a family that stood firmly behind him while he awaited his breakout moment.
"It’s actually meant like, you are in a family only; it’s not just a team, so you are that close with all of the teammates and all the coaches that they actually want you to do well, and I was just waiting for this day," he added.
Speaking about the difficult period, Abhishek stated that the early failures were difficult to swallow, especially on such a large platform as the World Cup.
He thanked Captain Suryakumar Yadav and Head Coach Gautam Gambhir for their unwavering support, saying their confidence and faith helped him remain optimistic despite the run of ducks.
"It didn’t start the way I wanted; I was actually in the hospital, and I wasn’t feeling so well. You know, playing the first game for the country and also in the World Cup was a positive start, or maybe the best start I wanted, but still I feel the support and the love of the teammates they all have showed me throughout all these days, especially the coach and captain—no matter if you do another zero, probably get out early, you’re going to play all the games, and you’re going to win the games for the team. So I think that’s very important as a player, to have that support from the team and the coaches," he said.
He dedicated his knock to the Indian dressing room, crediting the excellent team environment and faith shown in him, helping him through lean patches.
"It’s all dedicated to my team. I mean, I love this team, the way they have kept all the players, especially me as well. They actually wanted me to do really well, so all of that," he added.
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All eyes will be on Abhishek as India faces the West Indies on March 1 in a must-win game for semi-final qualification.
