![Gautam Gambhir schools Abhishek Sharma [Source: @rushiii_12/x]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1771866151969_GautamGambhirschoolsAbhishekSharma.jpg?type=hq)
Gautam Gambhir schools Abhishek Sharma [Source: @rushiii_12/x]
Abhishek Sharma got off the mark against South Africa after three successive ducks in the ongoing 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. However, in a chase of 188, the blistering left-handed opener managed to list just 15 runs from 12 balls with two boundaries and a six in Ahmedabad.
Aggregating just 15 runs overall in the tournament from four innings at a dismal average of 3.75, young Abhishek has now received quite an earful from national head coach Gautam Gambhir.
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Gautam Gambhir reprimands Abhishek Sharma in team bus
Gautam Gambhir seems to be wasting no time in schooling young Abhishek Sharma amidst the latter’s repeated batting struggles this 2026 T20 World Cup. A day after falling for a sluggish 15 against South Africa, the out-of-form Indian opener received quite an earful from coach Gambhir, as evidenced from a recent social media footage.
In a brief 32-second video, the Indian coach can be seen schooling the 25-year-old in the team bus itself as the ‘Men in Blue’ head to Chennai for their next Super 8 assignment.
Abhishek Sharma, seated quietly, seemed to listen intently, absorbing every word without interruption. Whether this stern counsel serves as the turning point he desperately needs or further compounds the mounting pressure remains to be seen.
India crumbles against SA after another Abhishek misfire
On a trail of three successive ducks in the Group Stage of the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, Abhishek Sharma took field for India in their opening Super 8 match of the tournament against South Africa on February 22.
Despite losing two early wickets, the left-hander started off confidently before his threatening stay got halted by Marco Jansen for just 15 from 12 balls. Chasing 188, the ‘Men in Blue’ bundled out for just 111 in 18.5 overs to fall 76 runs short of their target.
The outcome marked India’s first defeat in any ICC white-ball event since losing the 2023 World Cup final, and it also ended the team’s 12-match unbeaten streak in T20 World Cups.
Samson waiting in the wings as India lands in must-win territory
The latest defeat against South Africa puts Team India in a serious spot of bother this 2026 T20 World Cup. Coping a dismal NRR of -3.800, the ‘Men in Blue’ now need to defeat each of their remaining two Super 8 opponents, Zimbabwe and West Indies, in a bid to qualify for the semifinals.
Known for topping the points table in ICC events, India’s setback puts them in a rare must-win territory, a concept not usually associated with the Asian powerhouse.
With Abhishek Sharma struggling on all notes, the blistering left-hander might well be replaced by fellow opening batter Sanju Samson. Incidentally, Samson himself has been left out of India’s playing XI owing to his own form concerns and the late insurgence of comeback man Ishan Kishan.
Struggling to find the right opening combination, the Indian team management need to make swift, decisive calls before their semifinal hopes slip further out of their grasp.
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