New Delhi: Team India has received heavy criticism following a massive 76-run defeat against South Africa in the Super 8 match of the T20 World Cup 2026 in Ahmedabad on February 22. The focus has been on Indian batters, especially Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma, who got huge backlash from fans and experts amid a poor run of form.
The Men in Blue will face Zimbabwe in their next Super 8 clash in Chennai, and a batting shuffle at the top order is expected during that match. Meanwhile, a video has gone viral on social media in which head coach Gautam Gambhir was seen in a serious conversation with Abhishek Sharma inside the team bus after the team landed in Chennai.
As the Indian players boarded the team bus outside the Chennai airport, the Indian head coach was caught on camera having a discussion with the out-of-form opener. They were sitting just behind the driver, and seemingly involved in an intense conversation.
Gautam Gambhir started coaching Abhishek Sharma right there on the team bus. But sir, please stop this show in front of the cameras. You should have learned from Rohit Sharma how to explain things to a player, how to build their confidence, and how to bring out their best… pic.twitter.com/MmBKCRqY6d
— 𝐑𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐢𝐢⁴⁵ (@rushiii_12) February 23, 2026
Abhishek’s poor form in T20 World Cup 2026
The World No.1 T20I batter has endured a lean patch in the T20 World Cup 2026 and scored just 15 runs in four matches, registering three consecutive ducks in the tournament. Abhishek began his campaign with a golden duck against the USA, and missed India’s next match against Namibia due to a stomach infection.
He then failed to get score runs in the next two matches against Pakistan and the Netherlands. On each occasion, he fell within the first two overs while trying to play attacking shots. He looked completely out-of-touch in the Super 8 match against South Africa and amassed just 15 runs.
India need to win their next two Super 8 matches against Zimbabwe and the West Indies by a big margin to qualify for the semifinals of the T20 World Cup 2026. Abhishek’s form will be crucial for the Men in Blue.