17 February,2026 09:08 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Abhishek Sharma, Sitanshu Kotak (Pic: File Pic)
Team India is all set to lock horns with the Netherlands in the T20 World Cup 2026 match on February 18 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Ahead of the match, the cricket fans will expect swashbuckling opening batsman Abhishek Sharma to deliver a big knock. So far, having played two matches, he has not scored any runs, as he was dismissed on ducks on both occasions.
Despite the struggles in the two matches, Team India's batting coach Sitanshu Kotak said that the left-handed batsman has his plans sorted.
"Obviously we plan, but he wasn't well and didn't play (against Namibia). Last game got out in the first over. One thing we definitely do unnecessarily is overanalyse; sometimes you only start making more assumptions than the opposition do. He has his plans sorted, he follows the way he wants to, and obviously we discuss opposition, their bowling, their strengths, what they've been doing -- all that is normal for everyone, not just Abhishek," he said.
He also explained the nature of the T20 cricket by saying that the format is of high risk and stressing over a player's form will only add pressure on the individual.
"Abhishek, before he fell ill, made runs in matches. In the T20 format also, sometimes 10 balls 30 is as important. Not like he hasn't scored runs. T20 format is high risk, someone will get out. If we stress so much, players will be under pressure. He is in good form, has clear plans and a clear mindset, that's what matters for us," said Kotak.
The batting coach also said a player should change his game plan according to the situations and not because of failures.
"Playing aggressive cricket is important. But not because of a player's couple of failures will change. If anything, the plans will change according to situation and conditions. Like Mumbai game, where Surya has to stay there for a while, he was run-a-ball more or less for 30-35 balls, that's playing to the situation," said the 53-year-old coach.
Suryakumar Yadav (C), Sanju Samson (WK), Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Ishan Kishan (WK), Rinku Singh, Mohammed Siraj, Washington Sundar, Shivam Dube, Abhishek Sharma, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Tilak Varma.
(With PTI Inputs)
