Connect with us

Sports

Not overanalysing Abhishek Sharma’s form: Sitanshu Kotak

Published

3 weeks ago

on

AHMEDABAD: India’s path to the T20 World Cup 2026 semifinals became slightly clearer on Tuesday after Australia’s shock group-stage exit. Had Mitchell Marsh’s side advanced, they would have joined India, South Africa and the West Indies in the same Super 8 group. Instead, Sikandar Raza’s Zimbabwe will now face India on Feb 26.

While Australia’s early departure may ease the degree of difficulty, India’s camp insists it changes little. Speaking ahead of Wednesday’s final league match against the Netherlands, batting coach Sitanshu Kotak said the team remains focused on defending its title, regardless of opposition.

“Everyone was thinking that Australia would qualify and come into our group in the Super 8s. We knew about this possibility too. But when they lost to Zimbabwe, we realised Zimbabwe might end up in our group,” Kotak told reporters. “We knew the match against Sri Lanka would be tough for Australia, looking at the conditions. I don’t think we are bothered about what happened. Either we play Australia, or we play Zimbabwe. We will just try to do our best against whoever we play.” Kotak also threw his weight be-hind Abhishek Sharma, who has registered ducks in his last two ap-appearances. The opener was unwell in the lead-up to the Pakistan game.

“He wasn’t well. In the last match he got out in the first over. We don’t overanalyse unnecessarily. He has his plans and knows how he wants to play,” Kotak said. “T20 is such a format — you can lose your wicket. That’s okay.”

Advertisement

With India set to play their Super 8 clash against South Africa in Ahmedabad, Kotak underlined the importance of adapting to conditions. “It would be good to get used to the conditions here. Looking at the wicket, we may tweak the playing XI. But the intensity will remain the same,” he said, adding that premier pacer Jasprit Bumrah is unlikely to be rested for the Netherlands game. “We’ll decide later, but I don’t think Bumrah will rest.”

Kotak reserved special praise for Ishan Kishan, whose half-century set up India’s win over Pakistan. “We know how capable Kishan is. He’s very confident and natural.”

Source link

Advertisement
Related Topics:
Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Sports

“Get married soon, bhai” – Sanju Samson’s hilarious quip on T20 World Cup 2026 star’s popularity

Published

3 minutes ago

on

14 March 2026

By

Team India opener Sanju Samson joked that his batting partner Abhishek Sharma should get married soon so that the other players in the side can also enjoy their share of limelight. The keeper-batter also quipped that the left-handed batter’s popularity made other players in the team jealous of him.

Samson was the Player of the Tournament as India won the T20 World Cup 2026 at home last week. He scored 321 runs in five innings at an average of 80.25 and a strike rate of 199.38. Samson ended the ICC tournament with three consecutive fifties, registering scores of 97*, 89 and 89. While Abhishek struggled for the most part, he hammered 52 off 21 in the final against New Zealand in Ahmedabad.

Speaking at the India Today Conclave 2026, Samson shared his views on Abhishek‘s massive popularity. In a lighthearted tone, he commented:

“Earlier the boys used to get jealous because of the cheers for Abhishek. It was Abhishek, Abhishek everywhere. We were like, do people only see him or what?”

The 31-year-old then engaged in some fun leg-pulling of the southpaw and urged the youngster to get married soon. Samson added:

“But yes, he is the superstar of the team now. Get married soon, bhai.”

Abhishek began the T20 World Cup 2026 with three consecutive ducks. He scored a crucial 55 off 30 in the Super 8 match against Zimbabwe in Chennai before registering a whirlwind half-century in the final.

“We are not ice and fire, we are fire and fire” – Sanju Samson on partnership with Abhishek

Speaking at the conclave, Samson also shared his thoughts on his opening partnership with Abhishek. Describing their combination as fire and fire, the Kerala cricketer stated that they try to keep things pretty simple out in the middle. The 31-year-old elaborated:

Advertisement

“We are not ice and fire, we are fire and fire. Sometimes he fires, sometimes I do. We have that kind of combination going. We have done this since 2024, we have a Kerala-Punjabi friendship in the middle. Everything comes pretty naturally to us, so we do not complicate it. He asks me, ‘How is the ball coming?’ I tell him that the ball is coming normally, hit it for a six. It is really simple with him.

“Abhishek is very brave and collected, I love his character. I really love the partnership with him on and off the field,” the keeper-batter concluded.

Abhishek and Samson got India off to a terrific start in the T20 World Cup 2026 final, adding 98 in 7.1 overs. The partnership was broken when Abhishek was caught behind off Rachin Ravindra. The stunning opening stand paved the way for Team India’s historic triumph.