New Delhi: India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak came out in defence of swashbuckling opener Abhishek Sharma amid concerns over his form in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026. The explosive left-hander, who was in top-notch form heading into the tournament, has failed to fire for India in the showpiece event so far.
Abhishek was dismissed on ducks in his first two innings and is yet to get off the mark in the T20 World Cup 2026. He got out on a duck in India’s opener against USA before missing their next game against Namibia in New Delhi due to a stomach infection. Abhishek made his comeback in the high-profile contest against Pakistan on Sunday.
However, he flopped once again and was dismissed on a duck in the very first over by Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha. Abhishek now has four ducks in his last six T20I innings for India, raising concerns over his form. However, Kotak has thrown his weight behind the left-hander, stating that he has his plans sorted.
“We don’t overanalyse unnecessarily. Sometimes, you only start making more assumptions than the opposition. He has his plans sorted,” said the India batting coach in the pre-match presser in Ahmedabad ahead of India’s final group-stage match against Netherlands at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Wednesday.
All eyes were on Abhishek ahead of India’s much-awaited clash against Pakistan on Sunday, where the Men in Blue registered an emphatic 61-run victory to secure their spot in the Super Eight stage of the tournament. Pakistan had their plans ready for Abhishek, having worked extensively on the batter’s game in the lead-up to the game.
Kotak said it was a feather in Abhishek’s cap that the Pakistan team management had to put in so much effort to counter him in the game. “Credit to Abhishek that they are so concerned about Abhishek. They could have planned to get him out early, but I don’t think they could have planned that he would get out at mid-on,” said the India batting coach.
Abhishek will be looking to get back among the runs when India take on Netherlands in their final group-stage match at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Wednesday. The left-hander’s form is crucial for India ahead of the Super Eight stage of the tournament.
Kotak defends Tilak Varma’s ‘slow’ knock against Pakistan
India’s batting coach Kotak also defended Tilak Varma’s sluggish 24-ball 25 against Pakistan, stating that the left-hander did what was asked of him. Many felt Tilak failed to accelerate in time despite having gotten the hang of the conditions, remaining tentative against the Pakistani spinners.
“Tilak played exactly the way the team wanted. Considering the wicket, we were more focused on building partnerships and getting to the par score, around 160,” said Kotak.