IND vs NZ: Will Abhishek Sharma perform in final of T20 World Cup 2026? Sanju Samson drops 'last day' statement

Abhishek Sharma has struggled to get runs with only one fifty in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026 to his name.

India batter Abhishek Sharma’s struggles in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026 have continued. After a brief hope of revival in form when he scored 55 against Zimbabwe in the Super 8s, form has again deserted Abhishek, as he fell for 9 runs in the India vs England semi-final of the T20 World Cup 2026.

Abhishek Sharma tried to go on the offensive from the get-go and even hit Will Jacks for a four as India were asked to bat first by England’s Harry Brook at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. However, he tried to hit a huge six on the leg side but only managed to hit the ball in the air and was caught.

Abhishek was anticipated to be the star at the top of the batting order for India as the T20 World Cup started, while Sanju Samson‘s position was under scrutiny, with many speculating that the outcome might determine the trajectory of his international career.

Throughout the competition, the aggressive left-handed starter has fought for rhythm, registering scores of 0, 0, 0, 15, 55, 10, and 9 in his previous six games.

“We have faith and confidence in Abhishek” – Sanju Samson reveals if the southpaw will perform in the final

Abhishek went through a challenging physical phase at the same time that his form declined. He had to be hospitalized after the league game against USA in Mumbai due to a stomach virus, which caused him to lose weight and throw off his rhythm at a critical point in the competition.

To deny him the pace he enjoys working with at the beginning of the game, captains have frequently employed slow bowlers early against him, especially off-spinners and slow left-arm orthodox tweakers.

Talking in the post-match press conference, Sanju Samson fielded questions about Abhishek Sharma and his form. Samson backed Abhishek to come good in the final against New Zealand and stated that the whole team is behind the southpaw.

“We are taking care of all our players. We have a really great environment in the dressing room. Both of our leaders, Gautam Gambhir and Suryakumar Yadav, have a lot of faith and confidence in Abhishek. We try to help him in the way he actually requires,” Samson said.

“I think he has definitely gone through lots of ups and downs in his career. So he’s also trying to find a way out, and we all are with him. And I think it’s just a matter of a couple of hits in the middle, and everything can change in this format. I think we still believe in him, and we feel that, I think, finally it’s going to be his day. I think I kind of feel that he’s definitely going to come really great on the last day,” Samson added about Abhishek.

The final of T20 World Cup 2026 will be played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday March 8. Abhishek would be hoping that he turns up on the big night and helps his team lift the title.

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