“Just knock a single first” - Sunil Gavaskar tells Abhishek Sharma after two ducks in T20 World Cup 2026

Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has advised India opener Abhishek Sharma to take it easy while starting out. This comes after Abhishek Sharma has scored two ducks in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026, against the USA and the Pakistan. 

These failures has put the spotlight firmly on Abhishek Sharma’s approach at the top of the order.  Gavaskar urged the left-hander to focus on the basics first before unleashing his natural attacking game.

"My unsolicited advice to Abhishek Sharma, just knock a single first. That's it. Then you can start banging after that. But just knock a single, take a quick single where your legs also move quickly and then after that go on.

It is the confidence that one has in oneself. He got a hundred against New Zealand. He is in form and good touch and he is cashing in on that. What is important is that he is not taking good form for granted. A lot of batters do that and look to go bang bang. You can go out of your territory once you are set, and that is exactly what we have seen from him," Sunil Gavaskar told Sports Today.

After a breakthrough run in recent months, Abhishek had a lot of promise going into the World Cup, but a mix of illness and bad starts have hindered his campaign. After being admitted to the hospital due to a claimed stomach ailment, the 23-year-old missed India's match against Namibia and returned for the Pakistan encounter in Colombo. 

In his only two games thus far, Abhishek has gone scoreless twice after falling for another duck, thus the return did not go as planned. Whether he is trying too hard too quickly at the top has been questioned in light of the early dismissals.

Gavaskar's suggestion was straightforward: start with the most basic step possible. Abhishek can regain rhythm and confidence before extending his range by concentrating on getting off the mark and giving himself time at the crease. 

The former captain also cited Abhishek's recent achievements, including as his century against New Zealand, as evidence of his skill and form. Now that India has advanced to the Super 8 level, Abhishek might have some breathing room to regroup, get settled, and enjoy the freedom that initially made him such an intriguing possibility.

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