Opener Abhishek Sharma has been under the scanner after a series of low scores in the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. The 26-year-old opener, who has been India’s standout batter in the shortest format over the past two years, has struggled for runs at the marquee tournament.
The left-handed batter has managed just 80 runs in six matches, with a highest score of 55 against Zimbabwe. Three consecutive ducks at the start of the campaign have raised questions about whether his confidence has taken a hit.
Samson powers India into semifinal with a stroke-filled unbeaten 97 against West Indies
India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel, however, has backed Abhishek to rediscover his touch soon, stating that it is a tough phase for the left-hander. Morkel highlighted how Sanju Samson famously bounced back from a similar lean patch with a match-winning knock against the West Indies.
“No, I think just sometimes this game can be hard on you, cruel on you, similar to the situation that Sanju found himself in,” he told reporters on the eve of India’s semifinal against England.
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“In your career you’re going to find moments like this and this is good growth for him, it’s good learning for him, for a young sort of guy finding his feet in international cricket, this will only help him down the line and for Indian cricket,” the South African said.
Abhishek will be hoping he can rekindle the form he showcased the last time the two sides met in a T20I in Mumbai. Just over a year ago, when India faced England at the Wankhede Stadium, the opener lit up the fixture with a breathtaking knock of 135 off just 54 balls.
It’s a fresh page for Abhishek tomorrow: Morkel
“Abhishek, his way of playing is one or two shots that can find him that rhythm, that can give him that confidence back and that for me is a pleasing sign,” said Morkel.
“It’s a fresh page for him tomorrow, opportunity to go and do well, scored a hundred here against England not so long ago, so for him it’s just tapping into those little videos and looking at his feel-good moments and building a blueprint and knowing he’s starting on zero tomorrow, it’s a new opportunity for him and enough for him to make a play.”
Good shoot-out between two aggressive teams: Morkel
India will face England in a T20 World Cup semifinal for the third consecutive time, adding another chapter to what has become a gripping knockout rivalry between the two sides.
“I think playing against England, a team that is street smart, obviously there is a lot of quality in their side, batting quite long, deep, which makes them a very dangerous side, and then with the ball also, they have got wicket taking options.”
In the T20 World Cup 2022 semifinal, Jos Buttler and Alex Hales stitched together a record-breaking partnership to power England into the final. However, India turned the tables in the 2024 edition, getting the better of England by 64 runs.
Morkel expects England to once again be a tough competitor and is anticipating a thrilling contest on Thursday as two aggressive sides go head-to-head. “I think the way they approach a T20 game, fearless, trying to take the game on, will give you opportunities and makes them a dangerous side.”
“I feel tomorrow is going to be a good shoot-out between two aggressive teams, and the side that can hold their nerves and play the conditions and read some of the conditions quite well and the quickest, I reckon will come out on top,” said Morkel.
Suryakumar is India’s leading run-getter in tournament
Powered by an unbeaten 50-ball 97 from Sanju Samson, India head into the semifinals after beating the West Indies in their last Super 8 match, a virtual quarterfinal match.
India finished second in Group 1 in the Super 8 stage with four points after winning two out of their three matches. Their only loss in the Super 8 came against group toppers South Africa. The Men in Blue’s loss to the Proteas has been their only setback so far in the tournament. India won all four of their group stage matches earlier.
Indian T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav is his team’s leading run-scorer in the T20 World Cup 2026, having amassed 231 runs at an average of 38.50 and strike rate of 135.88. Ishan Kishan has also made his presence felt with the bat with 224 runs at an average of 32.00 and a stunning strike rate of 185.12.
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Varun Chakravarthy has been the pick of the bowlers for India with 12 wickets taken at an average of 15.33 and an economy of 7.66.
India won the title in 2007 and 2024.
India lead the head-to-head with 17 wins, while England have come out on top on 12 occasions.
The two teams have met five times in T20 World Cups with India winning thrice, including a victory in the semifinals of the previous edition of the tournament. England have beaten India twice in the 20-over showpiece.
