India are not losing sleep over Abhishek Sharma’s prolonged lean spell at the World Cup, despite the top-ranked T20I batter failing to get off the mark in his last three innings. Bowling coach Morne Morkel dismissed any suggestion of panic, saying the opener’s struggles have not even been a topic of discussion within the squad.
Despite the recent slump, the Indian dressing room believes Abhishek Sharma form is only a temporary phase. Team insiders say he is timing the ball well during practice sessions and needs just one strong start to regain confidence. Given his match-winning ability at the top of the order, the management is willing to stay patient rather than make abrupt changes during a high-pressure tournament.
“Abhishek is a world-class player,” Morkel said. “Other guys have stepped up while he hasn’t got the runs he would like. We’re in a crucial stage of the tournament, and I’m confident he’ll deliver.”
The numbers underline the slump: three successive ducks in this World Cup and five in his last seven outings. His recent scores read: 0, 0, 0, 30, 0, 68, 0. Yet the team management believes a turnaround is close.
“It’s not just important for the team but also for fans watching,” Morkel added. “He’s exciting to watch. He’s striking the ball well in the nets — it’s only about getting that start and building an innings.”
While Abhishek’s form is under scrutiny, India’s fielding — particularly catching — has also raised concerns. The side has dropped nine catches so far, the second-worst tally in the tournament after Ireland, including four in the high-pressure clash against Pakistan in Colombo.
“We work hard on our fielding and understand how crucial catches are,” Morkel explained. “Catching will be vital in the business end of the competition.”
He stressed that players are putting in the effort and must be willing to commit even to difficult chances. “No catch is ever truly easy. The boys are putting in the work, but we need to go for those 50-50 chances because they can change the momentum of an innings.”
Why India Is Backing Abhishek Sharma
India’s confidence in Abhishek Sharma stems from his proven record in T20 cricket. Over the past year, he has dominated bowling attacks with fearless strokeplay and rapid scoring. Players with such aggressive styles often experience short dry spells, especially in global tournaments where pressure is intense and pitches vary widely.
Backing experienced match-winners during lean patches has historically paid off for successful teams. India believe stability and trust help players bounce back stronger — something they expect from Sharma in the coming matches.
Looking ahead to the Super Eight stage — beginning with a clash against South Africa at the Narendra Modi Stadium — Morkel hinted that India could tweak their bowling combinations depending on the opposition.
“We constantly explore options and how best to attack different teams,” he said. “It’s important to stay alert and find ways to strike more effectively and target specific batters.”
The former South African fast bowler also praised Shivam Dube’s growth as a bowling option. According to Morkel, the all-rounder’s confidence has grown since he was trusted with key overs more than a year ago.
“As a bowler, confidence and backing are everything,” Morkel said. “Once you feel the support of the captain, coach and staff, you don’t feel the need to prove yourself every ball.”
He highlighted Dube’s variations, ability to read conditions, and understanding of what makes deliveries difficult for batters. “He has strong game sense and executes well. Even if he goes for a boundary, he has the ability to bounce back quickly with a wicket. We’ve worked on building that confidence and clarity.”
Despite Abhishek’s struggles and fielding lapses, India remain focused on fine-tuning their performance as the tournament reaches its decisive phase — with faith intact that their star opener will soon rediscover his touch.
