Virat Kohli namedropped as ex-RCB batter tears apart Abhishek Sharma amid T20 World Cup 2026

Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif has raised concerns over young opener Abhishek Sharma’s technique in the T20 World Cup 2026. Kaif warned that opposition teams are targeting the youngster with well-prepared plans, adding that repeated dismissals in a similar fashion became a serious issue for India.

The left-handed batter has struggled in the T20 World Cup 2026. He suffered a hat-trick of ducks during the group stage. Sharma scored 15 off 12 balls in India’s 78-run loss against South Africa in Ahmedabad on Sunday, February 22. South Africa also ended Team India’s 12-match unbeaten run in the T20 World Cup.

Opposition Teams Are Coming Well-Prepared - Mohammad Kaif on Abhishek Sharma

In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Mohammad Kaif said that opposition teams have figured out a weakness in Abhishek Sharma’s batting. Kaif stated that while one early dismissal is not a concern, the way Abhishek has been getting out in multiple matches is worrying.

SHORTS

View More

Your daily dose of cricket!

Loading...

"The opposition teams are coming well-prepared. They aren't giving him pace. It was the knuckle ball in this match. I am worried about his technique against the slower ball," Kaif said.

"His dismissal in the first match doesn't bother me. However, his technique was exposed by how he got out in the other games," he added.

India will next face Zimbabwe in their Super 8 match in Chennai on Thursday, February 26. After a poor run in earlier games, Abhishek’s form will be under close watch, as his contribution could be crucial for the Men in Blue to be in contention for the semifinals.

Virat Kohli Flopped in the World Cup - Mohammad Kaif

The former India cricketer said that Abhishek should adjust his game after a string of poor performances. Kaif recalled that Virat Kohli struggled earlier in the T20 World Cup 2024 before altering his mindset in the final.

"He's such a capable and attacking batter. It's sad to see how he has started. There's no bigger example than Virat Kohli. He flopped in the World Cup," Kaif opined.

"He made a comeback by making changes to his game. He played with a strike rate of 150 in the IPL and tried to do the same in the World Cup. So, he changed his game in the final, which is not an easy thing to do."

Abhishek Sharma Ball Ka Do Tukada Karte The Bilateral Mein - Mohammad Kaif

In the same video, Mohammad Kaif said that Abhishek Sharma looked in outstanding touch during the bilateral T20I series before the T20 World Cup 2026 but added that ICC tournaments bring a very different level of pressure.

"There is a massive difference between World Cups and bilaterals. Abhishek Sharma ball ka do tukada karte the bilateral mein, unka balla nahi chala abhi tak. (Abhishek Sharma used to break the balls in two halves, but he has yet to fire here) The hype and the spotlight are different here. So there is that added pressure."

Kaif also stated that India’s 12-match unbeaten run in T20 World Cups has ended and should not be linked to the current setup. He said that those wins came under a different captain and coach, and past numbers should not distract from present challenges.

"People showing numbers and saying that we won 12 matches consecutively. Those are just numbers. Woh kisi aur ne match jitaya tha. Koi aur captain tha, koi aur coach tha (Somebody else won those matches. The captain and coach were different)."

Also read: Shivam Dube called a useless all-rounder by ex-RCB star in brutal attack