India destructive batter Abhishek Sharma is yet to score runs in the T20 World Cup 2026, but he made a strong impression in Ahmedabad ahead of their Super 8 clash against South Africa. The southpaw energised the team with a powerful Punjabi war cry during training at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
Abhishek Sharma's pep talk
As the team gathered in a tight circle under the lights on Friday, a video shared by the BCCI showed Abhishek stepping forward to give a short, passionate speech. He ended with “Jo Bole So Nihal, Sat Sri Akaal,” which sparked cheers from his teammates and staff.
Notably, this will be the first outing between India and South Africa in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026; the two sides earlier faced each other in the T20 World Cup final of 2024. South Africa, led by Aiden Markram, comes into the game with strong confidence. India, unbeaten so far, knows the challenges will only get tougher from here.
Abhishek Sharma's performance in T20WC 2026
For Abhishek, the war cry was a sharp contrast to his performance so far in the tournament. He has been dismissed for zero runs against USA, Pakistan, and the Netherlands, and missed the match against Namibia due to illness. Though he was picked for his fearless batting style at the top, he has yet to find his rhythm.
Still, the atmosphere around him in training showed no sign of worry. He spent extra time working with head coach Gautam Gambhir, focusing on the finer points of his technique. Gambhir patiently explained things while Abhishek listened carefully before moving on to fielding drills and batting practice.
Team Stands by Abhishek Despite Slow Start
Even with the tough run, the team management remains confident in Abhishek. Bowling coach Morne Morkel rejected any rumours about doubts over Abhishek’s spot in the playing eleven.
“Absolutely no discussion. He's a world-class player. So far in the tournament, luckily, there’s been some guys standing up for Abhishek (others scoring runs),” Morkel said.
He also pointed out how important this stage of the World Cup is.
“But we’re going through a very important phase of the World Cup now, and we expect him to do well... And I’m pretty sure, not just for the team, but also for all the viewers watching the game. Because he’s entertaining, and we love to see that,” he added.
The India vs South Africa T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 clash will take place at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on February 22,