As the T20 World Cup 2026 shifts into high gear for the Super 8 stage, the spotlight in the Indian camp has unexpectedly fallen on its explosive opener, Abhishek Sharma. Despite an unbeaten run in the group stages, the left-hander’s individual form has become the talk of the town—but the team management is making one thing very clear: they aren't listening to the noise.

Ahead of the crucial encounter against South Africa at the Narendra Modi Stadium this Sunday, India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel and batting coach Sitanshu Kotak have both thrown their weight behind the young southpaw.

The Wretched Run: Three Ducks and a Fever

Abhishek Sharma’s maiden T20 World Cup has been a statistical anomaly so far. Known for his fearless ball-striking, the opener has recorded three consecutive ducks in the matches he has played.

His campaign got off to a rocky start with a golden duck against the USA, a match he played while battling a stomach infection that eventually led to a brief hospitalization. Winadda After missing the Namibia fixture to recover, he returned for the high-octane Pakistan and Netherlands games, only to be dismissed without scoring in both.

This slump has sparked intense debate among fans and pundits, with many questioning whether India should bring in Sanju Samson or Ishan Kishan to stabilize the top order for the Super 8s.

"Absolutely No Discussion": Team India Stands Firm

Despite the outside speculation, the internal message is one of absolute confidence. Speaking at the pre-match press conference in Ahmedabad, Morne Morkel dismissed rumors of a potential drop.

"Absolutely no discussion in our team group about that. He is a world-class player. We’re going through a very important phase of the World Cup now, and I’m pretty sure he’s going to deliver," Morkel stated.

The management’s faith isn't just blind loyalty; it’s based on what they see behind the scenes. Abhishek was spotted in a lengthy one-on-one session with Head Coach Gautam Gambhir on Friday, working on his technical approach against the moving ball. Reports from the nets suggest he is still "striking the ball as well as ever."

Tactical Faith or a Selection Gamble?

Batting coach Sitanshu Kotak also weighed in, suggesting that the "plans" opposition teams claim to have for Abhishek are actually a compliment.

"If teams are openly saying they have specific plans for him... he must be doing very well for them to be so concerned," Kotak remarked. He emphasized that in T20 cricket, a high-risk approach often leads to low scores, but the payoff of a 30-run cameo in 10 balls is worth the gamble.

The Road Ahead: IND vs SA

The clash against South Africa represents a massive hurdle. The Proteas' pace attack, led by Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje, will look to exploit Abhishek’s current lack of runs. However, Abhishek has a solid record against South Africa in bilateral series, including a half-century, which might be the mental edge he needs.

India enters the Super 8s with momentum, but for the "Men in Blue" to go all the way, they need their "X-factor" at the top of the order to fire. For now, the coaches are certain: Abhishek Sharma is just one good shot away from silencing the critics.

What do you think? Should India stick with Abhishek Sharma for the Super 8s, or is it time to give Sanju Samson a go at the top? Let us know in the comments below!