Legendary Indian opener Virender Sehwag has raised serious concerns over Abhishek Sharma’s shocking dip in form in the T20 World Cup 2026. He believes that Abhishek Sharma is walking on a dangerous line between confidence and overconfidence.
Abhishek Sharma’s T20 World Cup 2026 struggles
The young Indian opener started the year 2026 like a superstar, smashing bowlers and breaking records with fearless strokeplay against New Zealand in the home series. But the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026 has turned out to be a nightmare for the Punjab lad.
The left-hander suffered three back-to-back ducks in the group stage against the USA, Pakistan, and the Netherlands. In every match, he fell while trying to play big shots. Lofted hits ended in simple catches, and one wild swipe saw his stumps shattered.
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In all three matches, he fell while trying to play big attacking shots. He was caught at deep cover against the USA and then miscued a lofted shot against Pakistan. The left-handed batter was clean bowled after a wild swing across the line against the Netherlands.
Even in the Super 8 clash against South Africa, Abhishek could manage only 15 runs before throwing his wicket away with another mistimed big shot.
Virender Sehwag warns Abhishek Sharma about ego and shot selection
Sehwag believes that the problem is not talent but decision-making. He pointed out that when Abhishek’s shots connect, he looks unstoppable, but presently, he seems too eager to hit every ball out of the ground instead of reading the situation.
Virender Sehwag said on Cricbuzz: When Abhishek Sharma gets his shot, everyone cheers about it. But when he gets out after hitting the same shot and doesn’t score a run, everyone criticizes him. So, this is a very fine line between confidence and overconfidence. So, the batters have to take care that he is confident, not overconfident.”
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The former Indian opener said that Abhishek should hit after watching the ball, not “because of his ego.” He further explained that when a batter plays with “ego and plays without reading the ball,” he easily loses his wicket, and that’s something happening with Abhishek.
Think before you attack: Sehwag’s clear message to Abhishek Sharma
Sehwag further noted, “So, Abhishek can do one thing. If he sees a normal ball and hits it offside, then fine. But if it is good, then he can stop it. There is no harm in hitting the ball. But what is happening now is that if he is at the strike, then he tries to hit all six deliveries.”
The cricket pundit openly said that Abhishek is attacking by habit, not by judgment, and losing his wicket cheaply. There is a strong thought that ego can be the main reason behind the young opener’s struggle, as the whole world was praising him when he became the world’s No. 1 T20I batter.
Sehwag signed off by saying, “But if you don’t feel that the shot is getting there today, then take a single or defend. So, the batsman has to play with a lot of thinking. Whether it is confidence or overconfidence. So that has to be kept in mind.”
