New Delhi: India opener Abhishek Sharma has spoken about the difficult phase he endured during the T20 World Cup 2026 and the key lessons he learned from the experience. Despite entering the tournament as one of the most in-form batters in international T20 cricket, Sharma struggled during the early matches and faced a challenging period that tested his mental resilience.
In an interview, the young batter revealed that the support he received from India captain Suryakumar Yadav, head coach Gautam Gambhir, and his long-time mentor Yuvraj Singh helped him navigate the difficult phase and regain confidence.
Sharma said the tournament taught him the importance of mental strength and maintaining balance regardless of success or failure on the field.
Entered tournament as world’s top T20 batter
Before the T20 World Cup 2026, Abhishek Sharma was enjoying one of the most successful phases of his career.
The left-handed opener had scored heavily in international matches and had risen to become the No.1 batter in the T20I format, creating high expectations for his performance in the global tournament.
However, the start of the World Cup campaign proved challenging for the young cricketer. An illness early in the tournament disrupted his rhythm and forced him to miss India’s group-stage match against Namibia.
When he returned to the playing XI, Sharma endured a rough patch, recording three consecutive ducks, an unusual sequence for a batter known for his aggressive stroke play.
Mental strength key during tough phase
Reflecting on the experience, Sharma said the tournament quickly taught him how crucial mental strength is at the highest level of international cricket.
“Playing a World Cup teaches you quickly how important mental strength and process are,” Sharma said.
He added that the biggest lesson he learned was the importance of staying emotionally balanced.
“The biggest learning for me was staying balanced, not getting too high after a good innings and not too low after failures,” he said.
According to Sharma, dealing with extreme highs and lows is an inevitable part of international cricket, especially in high-pressure tournaments like the World Cup.
Support from captain Suryakumar Yadav
One of the key figures who helped Sharma through the tough period was India captain Suryakumar Yadav.
The opener revealed that the captain’s consistent backing gave him the confidence to stick to his natural playing style despite the poor run of scores.
“Surya bhai was amazing throughout. Even after the ducks, his message was very clear: ‘Play your natural game and don’t worry about the result,’” Sharma said.
He added that support from a leader can have a significant impact on a player’s mindset.
“When a leader shows that much trust, it allows you to go out there and express yourself without fear,” he explained.
Guidance from mentor Yuvraj Singh
Apart from the team leadership, Sharma also remained in regular contact with his mentor, former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh.
Yuvraj, who has guided Sharma’s development since his early cricketing days, reportedly reassured him during the difficult period and encouraged him to stay true to his aggressive batting style.
“I spoke to Yuvi paaji regularly. He’s always been someone I can go to for honest advice,” Sharma said.
According to the opener, Yuvraj emphasised that attacking players often experience lean phases but should not abandon their natural strengths.
“His message was simple: ‘Don’t change who you are as a player.’ He told me aggressive players will have phases like this, but if you keep backing your strengths, runs will come,” Sharma recalled.
Coach Gautam Gambhir’s backing
India head coach Gautam Gambhir also played an important role in supporting the young batter during the challenging phase.
While Sharma did not elaborate extensively on their discussions, he acknowledged that Gambhir’s guidance and encouragement helped him remain focused on his process rather than immediate results.
Such backing from the team management, Sharma said, helped him maintain confidence even when performances were not going his way.
Looking ahead to future tournaments
Despite the struggles in the World Cup, Sharma believes the experience has helped him grow both as a player and as an individual.
He said going through highs and lows in a major international tournament has made him mentally stronger.
“Experiences like this make you stronger as a player. When you go through highs and lows in such a big tournament, you learn a lot about yourself,” he said.
Sharma added that he hopes to carry these lessons forward in future competitions.
“My goal is to take these lessons forward and keep growing as a cricketer,” he said.
Focus shifts to IPL 2026
Following the conclusion of the international tournament, Sharma is now preparing for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026.
He will represent Sunrisers Hyderabad, who are set to begin their campaign against Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Reports suggest that Sharma could even take on a leadership role for the franchise if regular captain Pat Cummins does not start the season.
If that happens, the young opener may be entrusted with leading the team, marking another important step in his cricketing career.
Conclusion
Abhishek Sharma’s reflections on the T20 World Cup 2026 highlight the mental challenges faced by athletes at the highest level of sport. While the tournament began with setbacks, the support from teammates, mentors and coaches helped him navigate the difficult phase.
As he prepares for upcoming tournaments and the IPL season, Sharma hopes the lessons learned during the World Cup will help him become a more resilient and mature cricketer.