Expectations were sky-high for Abhishek Sharma heading into the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. Touted as India’s next explosive left-handed opener, many predicted he would dominate powerplays and take attacks apart. Instead, the group stage has exposed clear vulnerabilities in his game.
Abhishek began the tournament with a golden duck against the United States and failed to make an impact against Pakistan and the Netherlands. The dismissals, particularly against off-spin, have raised tactical questions. Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan, a key member of India’s 2007 T20 World Cup-winning squad, believes there is a visible pattern emerging.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Pathan explained that opposition teams appear to have done their homework. Against Pakistan, Abhishek fell to part-time off-spinner Agha Salman. Versus the Netherlands at the Narendra Modi Stadium, he was bowled early by Aryan Dutt while attempting to play across the line.
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Pathan highlighted the tactical blueprint: off-spinners are bowling tight to the stumps, often targeting leg-stump or middle-and-leg lines, denying the batter any width. The mid-on fielder is placed inside the circle to cut off easy lofted drives. Without room to free his arms, Abhishek’s natural attacking instinct — swinging across the line — has led to his downfall.
“At first, I felt there was no pattern,” Irfan Pathan noted. “But when you get out in a similar manner twice, it means the opposition has a clear plan. Do not give him room.”
He further explained how experienced spinners, including former India great Harbhajan Singh, used similar tactics — bowling around the wicket to left-handers and angling the ball in to restrict their movement. For a batter looking for width or turn with the new ball, this approach can be a trap.
Pathan’s advice to the young opener is straightforward: adapt without abandoning natural flair. Instead of forcing boundaries, Abhishek must be prepared to rotate strike when bowlers deny him room. Playing straighter down the ground, especially against length deliveries, could be the key adjustment.
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“If your bat naturally comes across, you must recognise when that becomes a risk,” Irfan Pathan advised. “If the ball is slightly wide, take a single. When it’s pitched up, adjust with your feet. The real danger is following instinct blindly.”
India now head into the Super Eights, where they will face South Africa led by Aiden Markram. With quality off-spin likely to challenge him again, all eyes will be on whether Abhishek makes the tactical correction — or continues to fall into a well-set trap.
