Why Is Abhishek Sharma Struggling in Recent Matches?

Abhishek Sharma entered the 2026 T20 World Cup as the top-ranked batter according to the ICC rankings. Unfortunately, the left-hander has had a rough start in his first three games and is eager to make a strong comeback in the Super 8s. 

He kicked off his international career on a high note, boasting an impressive average of over 35 in 40 T20Is, along with a strike rate exceeding 190. His contributions were vital in India's victory at the 2025 Asia Cup, where he was honored with the Player of the Tournament award. 

In the T20 World Cup, expectations were high for Abhishek to shine at the top of the order. However, the Punjab batter has yet to score in three matches, and his dismissals have been quite unpredictable. In his opening match against the USA, Abhishek aimed to hit Ali Khan for a six right from the first ball but ended up finding the fielder at deep cover, despite making solid contact with the ball. 

He missed the game against Namibia due to a stomach bug but returned to the lineup for the crucial match against Pakistan. Unfortunately, Salman Ali Agha opened the bowling for Pakistan and had Abhishek caught at mid-on. The 25-year-old mishit the ball off the edge of the bat, resulting in a weak shot. 

On Wednesday, February 18, Abhishek was hoping to score some runs against the Netherlands before heading into the Super 8s. However, he attempted to pull off-spinner Aryan Dutt to the leg side, only for the ball to sneak through the gap between bat and pad, knocking over the stumps. 

Before the Netherlands game, the legendary Sunil Gavaskar advised Abhishek to focus on getting his first run before going for big shots. However, he stuck to his aggressive style, which ultimately backfired. 

Abhishek Sharma’s Form Dip Raises Concerns for India

At the end of the day, every cricketer faces those tough moments when scoring even a single run feels like a monumental task. For Abhishek, this might be his first experience with such a struggle on the international stage. This is where head coach Gautam Gambhir can really make a difference by stepping in, offering support, and sharing his own stories of overcoming similar challenges throughout his impressive career.

It could also be beneficial for Abhishek to reach out to his mentor, Yuvraj Singh, who is well-known for his remarkable comebacks.  There’s no denying Abhishek’s talent. Just one solid performance could turn everything around, and he could very well end up as the tournament's top scorer or even snag the Player of the Tournament award. However, Indian fans are hoping he finds his rhythm sooner rather than later, especially since the competition is only going to get tougher from here.