Indian opener Abhishek Sharma has credited the strong backing from head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Suryakumar Yadav for helping him stay confident during a difficult start to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. The young opener endured a tough beginning to the tournament, registering three consecutive ducks — an unwanted record in the competition.  His lean run continued with a modest 15-run knock against the South Africa national cricket team.

However, Sharma finally broke the streak with a fluent 55 against the Zimbabwe national cricket team on Thursday, a knock that helped him regain rhythm at a crucial stage of the tournament. Adding to the challenge, Sharma had also been battling illness during the early phase of the competition. The opener revealed that he had to spend two days in hospital, which disrupted his preparations just as he was about to begin his World Cup campaign.

Despite the setbacks, the Indian team management continued to back him strongly. Sharma revealed that both Gambhir and Suryakumar assured him of their trust, even if his poor run had continued.

ALSO READ: Rinku Singh Set To Rejoin India Squad In Kolkata Ahead Of Crucial T20 World Cup Clash

“It didn’t start the way I wanted. I was actually in the hospital and wasn’t feeling well. Playing your first World Cup match for the country, you always want the best possible start,” Abhishek Sharma said in a video shared by the Board of Control for Cricket in India after India’s win over Zimbabwe.

He added that the support from the dressing room made a significant difference. According to Sharma, the coach and captain told him that even if he recorded another duck, he would still continue to play throughout the tournament and eventually win matches for the team.

Such unwavering backing is rare in the highly competitive environment of Indian cricket, where players often face immediate pressure to perform. For Sharma, however, the trust shown by the leadership group reinforced his belief.

WATCH – Lucknow Super Giants Unveil New Jersey For IPL 2026 with Fresh Identity

Reflecting on the atmosphere within the squad, Sharma said the Indian dressing room feels more like a family than just a team. That sense of unity, he explained, motivated him to stay patient and wait for the moment when everything would finally click with the bat.