Abhishek Sharma Denied Massive Opportunity By Gautam Gambhir Before IND vs ZIM

Abhishek Sharma has registered three ducks in T20 World Cup 2026 (PC - x.com)

The defending champions, India, suffered a major setback last Sunday when South Africa thrashed them by 56 runs at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. One of the major headaches for Team India has been Abhishek Sharma's form in the T20 World Cup 2026.

In four innings played, the current T20I number 1 batter has registered three ducks, with his first runs (15 off 12 balls) coming in a losing cause. With a must-win game around the corner, reportedly, the Gautam Gambhir-led team management might take a solid decision on Abhishek's selection in the Super 8 fixture against Zimbabwe.

Abhishek Sharma to be dropped?

As India sweated hard in the nets in Chennai ahead of the Zimbabwe game, Abhishek Sharma was not given an opportunity to bat against the main Indian bowlers in the nets by Gautam Gambhir and the rest of the coaches, as reported by TOI. The report further stated that Abhishek batted for over an hour and a half but only against net bowlers.

Notably, there is an ongoing debate in the Indian media over Sanju Samson getting a place either ahead of Abhishek Sharma or Tilak Varma. As of now, the left-handed swashbuckler remains in contention for selection and might just get one more chance to prove himself at the biggest stage before the axe eventually falls.

Indian team management unlikely to make whole and sole changes

Meanwhile, the Amritsar-born batter showed a few glimpses of his prime best by smashing a four and a maximum off Kagiso Rabada during his 15-run knock, but he was soon sent back by Marco Jansen.

Apart from the Sanju Samson-Abhishek Sharma/Tilak Varma, the team management might look to bring back Axar Patel for Washington Sundar. There is a chance that Kuldeep Yadav will regain his place, while Rinku Singh has rejoined the team in Chennai after heading home due to his father's poor health.

Can India still qualify for semis?

Firstly, India would have to win both their remaining matches in the Super 8s. Considering the Men in Blue will do that, then they would need to hope the Proteas will win both their matches (especially the one against the West Indies).

If the Windies defeat the Proteas, then the Indians will have to win both the games by massive margins, bettering their current Net Run Rate (-3.800) to South Africa's +3.800. Currently, the West Indies have the best NRR among the Group 1 teams, i.e. +5.350.

India, head coached by Gautam Gambhir, will play their next Super 8 fixture in Chennai's MA Chidambaram Stadium on Thursday evening, while the West Indies against South Africa clash will be contested in Ahmedabad in the afternoon of the given day.

Moreover, England, from Group 2, became the first team in this T20 World Cup 2026 to qualify for the semifinals after defeating Pakistan in Kandy on Tuesday. Having said that, the second spot in that group is still open for Pakistan, New Zealand and Sri Lanka.