Will Abhishek Sharma be dropped from India's playing XI for Super 8 clash vs SA? Morne Morkel breaks silence

India's bowling coach Morne Morkel has made it clear that the team management will back the under-fire Abhishek Sharma to the hilt amidst his torrid form in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026. Abhishek Sharma’s maiden T20 World Cup campaign has been nothing short of a nightmare, as the flamboyant opener failed to get off the mark in all three of his group-stage appearances. With three consecutive ducks to his name, many contemplated that his position in the starting lineup is now under intense scrutiny as India prepares for the high-stakes Super 8 round, where they will first take on the so far undefeated South Africa.

Morne Morkel backs Abhishek Sharma amidst torrid form

The team management does have a viable alternative in Sanju Samson, who stepped in for Abhishek during the match against Namibia. While Samson’s contribution was a relatively modest 22 runs off just 8 balls, that brief cameo still stands in stark contrast to Abhishek’s string of zeroes, providing a glimmer of stability at the top of the order.

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Captain Suryakumar Yadav and the coaching staff must have had a difficult selection headache. But Morkel has revealed that the management isn't fretting over Abhishek's form and there is no discussion on his performance. He clearly said that Abhishek is a world class player and is hitting the ball well in the nets.

"No discussion on three Abhishek ducks. He is a world class player. He will deliver. He is hitting the ball well in the nets," Morkel said at the pre-match press conference on February 20.

All eyes on Abhishek Sharma ahead of IND vs SA Super 8 showdown

While Abhishek’s recent struggles are significant, they may be partly explained by his health, he was physically depleted after battling a severe stomach infection that required hospitalisation and caused him to miss the match against Namibia. This illness sidelined the young opener just as the tournament was intensifying, leaving him physically drained and short of match rhythm during a critical phase of the campaign.

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The slump is particularly surprising given his sensational form immediately leading up to the T20 World Cup. In the January series against New Zealand, Abhishek was nearly unstoppable, accumulating 182 runs across five matches. His performance in that series was defined by a breathtaking strike rate of over 240, reinforcing his reputation as one of the most explosive openers in the world before his recent health setbacks.
It will be interesting to see whether the no.1 T20I batter roars back into form in the key clash against South Africa or fail to repay Indian team management's faith.