Picture Credit : BCCI/ACC
On the one hand, he’s a heroic talent and a destructive one at that with the cricket willow. One whose unsparing bat has troubled quite a few bowlers from around the world- spinners and fast bowlers alike. He is someone who scores aplenty and in an unabashed and freewheeling way. And then on the other hand, he is also out of form. That’s desperately out for form. Abhishek Sharma, who recently recovered from an injury that saw him recuperating in a hospital is back in the Indian jersey but sans form or any runs. Not even a single run, as a matter of fact! And that is really becoming a pressing issue.
Never before have India ever witnessed a top order batter, who operates as an opener, score three ducks in a T20 World Cup contest and that’s precisely what has happened with the left hander.
Certainly, he’s gutted with himself but also a bit clueless. In the most recent game against the Dutch, Abhishek Sharma made another 0. He’s yet to open his World Cup account.
And seeing the ensuing struggle one of India’s former bowling greats Harbhajan Singh has expressed his solidarity and conger about the situation explaining the following:
Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh has backed young opener Abhishek Sharma despite the left-hander’s disappointing run in the ongoing T20 World Cup, urging patience as the batter searches for his first run of the tournament. Abhishek has endured a nightmare start, registering three consecutive ducks in India’s opening three matches — a statistic that has drawn criticism but also concern about the pressure of performing on the global stage. Harbhajan, however, believes the situation is more mental than technical. “Just make the first run and after that everything will be fine,” he remarked, emphasizing how a single scoring shot can release the burden that builds when a player is stuck in a lean patch.
According to him, Abhishek’s aggressive natural game makes him vulnerable early on, but it is the same fearless approach that earned him a place in the squad.
The former off-spinner highlighted that young players often face extreme highs and lows in ICC tournaments, where expectations and scrutiny are far greater than in bilateral series or franchise leagues. He advised the team management to continue showing faith, noting that backing talent during difficult phases is crucial for long-term success. With India still firmly in contention, the think tank will hope Abhishek can overcome the early jitters — because, as Harbhajan suggested, one run could change everything.
