New Delhi: Team India batter Abhishek Sharma revealed he was constantly in touch with his mentor Yuvraj Singh as he recalled advice from the former India all-rounder during his low phase in the T20 World Cup 2026. Abhishek endured a difficult campaign in the tournament, managing only 141 runs in 8 matches at a disappointing average of 17.62.
Abhishek headed into the tournament high on confidence, having dominated teams in bilateral T20Is. He was expected to set the stage on fire in his debut T20 World Cup campaign for India, however, the swashbuckling left-hander got off to a horror start. Abhishek was dismissed for ducks in his first three games in the tournament.
Abhishek failed to get off the mark in the group stage, and his poor run continued in India’s Super 8 opener against South Africa, where he was dismissed cheaply on 15. The left-hander bounced back with a half-century against Zimbabwe before suffering two more failures in the next two matches.
However, he was backed to the hilt by the Indian team management and managed to deliver in the all-important final against New Zealand with a quickfire 51 to play his part in India’s memorable triumph. Abhishek revealed he was in touch with Yuvraj during his low phase in the T20 World Cup 2026.
“I spoke to Yuvi paaji regularly. He has always been someone I can go to for honest advice. His message was simple: Don’t change who you are as a player. He told me that aggressive players will have phases like this, but if you keep backing your strengths, runs will come,” Abhishek said, sharing insights of his conversations with Yuvraj during the low phase.
The left-hander managed to end the tournament on a high with an 18-ball fifty in the final against New Zealand. With his blazing half-century, he set the record for the fastest fifty by any batter in a T20 World Cup final. Thanks to stupendous knocks from him and Sanju Samson, India posted a record 255/5 in the final and won the game by 96 runs to lift the trophy.
Asked about the turnaround, Abhishek said it was all about trusting his natural game. “It was mostly about trusting my natural game. I did not want to go away from the style that got me to this level. The only thing I tried to do was be a bit clearer in my shot selection early on,” said the India opener.
Abhishek Sharma to return to action in IPL 2026
Abhishek will return to action for the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the upcoming IPL 2026. There are reports that the India star might even get to lead the franchise in the absence of Pat Cummins, who is expected to first few of matches for SRH in IPL 2026. Having been exposed against off-spin in the T20 World Cup, it remains to be seen how Abhishek will tackle the challenge in IPL 2026.