The Indian team coach Gautam Gambhir was spotted in an intense one-on-one chat with the currently struggling batter of the team, Abhishek Sharma, during the practice session. India is set to play their first match of the Super 8 in the T20 World Cup 2026 against South Africa on Sunday, 22 February, and Abhishek is yet to score a run in this tournament. 

Gautam Gambhir spotted in intense chat with Abhishek Sharma during practice ahead of India vs South Africa game

On Friday, 20 February 2026, during the practice session of Team India at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, coach Gautam Gambhir was seen chatting with Abhishek Sharma. The 25-year-old opening batter is yet to score a single run in this tournament. He has gotten out on ducks in all three games he played against the USA, Pakistan, and Namibia.

Although he has been one of the most consistent batters for India in T20Is last year, and it's highly unlikely the team is going to bench him, these three ducks naturally put so much pressure on Abhishek to score runs for the team. 

Coach Gautam Gambhir was likely also seen comforting Abhishek and calming him down ahead of the game. He may have discussed the mistakes from the last three matches and offered guidance. At this tough phase, every individual needs backing, especially when you are one of the crucial players on the team.

Additionally, during the press conference, the Indian team bowling coach Morne Morkel dismissed the rumors of Abhishek Sharma getting dropped from the playing XI by saying, “Absolutely no discussion. He's a world-class player. So far in the tournament, luckily, there have been some guys standing up for Abhishek (others scoring runs). 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.”  

India is set to face South Africa in Super 8 on 22 February 

Match

India vs South Africa

Date

22 February 2026

Time

7:00 PM IST

Venue

Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad

India vs South, the Group 1 Super 8 fixture at the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, is set to be played on 22 February at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad. Fans can enjoy the match from 7:00 PM IST. 

Probable XIs

India: Ishan Kishan, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy, Arshdeep Singh

South Africa: Aiden Markram, Quinton de Kock, Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Corbin Bosch, Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi