T20 World Cup 2026: Why Coach Morkel Wants Abhishek Sharma to Start From Zero

Ahead of India’s semi-final clash in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup against England cricket team, India bowling coach Morne Morkel has thrown his support behind out-of-form opener Abhishek Sharma, urging him to revisit his “feel-good moments” and approach the knockout match with a fresh mindset. Morkel acknowledged that the tournament has been challenging for the young left-hander but expressed confidence that he can deliver when it matters most. India will be counting on their top order to fire in the high-pressure encounter.

Abhishek, currently ranked World No. 1 in T20Is, has endured a difficult campaign so far. He began the tournament with three consecutive ducks and also battled food poisoning during the group stage, forcing him to miss a fixture against Namibia in Delhi. His return to action brought modest returns, including a slow 15 off 12 balls against South Africa, and while he managed a half-century against Zimbabwe, he followed it up with a modest 10 off 11 balls in the must-win clash against the West Indies in Kolkata.

Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Morkel described the game as “hard and cruel” at times, noting that even established players go through lean phases. He drew parallels with earlier struggles faced by teammate Sanju Samson and said such periods are part of a cricketer’s growth. According to Morkel, navigating these setbacks will ultimately strengthen Abhishek’s character and help him mature as an international player.

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The former South Africa pacer emphasized that Abhishek does not typically overthink his technique and thrives on instinctive stroke play. He suggested that the opener may need just “one or two shots” to regain rhythm and confidence. Morkel also reminded him of his previous success at the venue, including a blistering 54-ball 135 against England last year, which remains one of the highest individual T20I scores by an Indian batter.

Morkel advised Abhishek to mentally reset and treat the semifinal as a new beginning. “It’s a fresh page for him,” he said, adding that revisiting positive memories and visual cues from past performances could provide a psychological boost. With a place in the final at stake, India will hope that their explosive opener can rediscover his touch and play a decisive role in steering the team into the title clash.

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