Abhishek Sharma will bounce back: Harbhajan Singh backs batter after duck vs PAK
India Today
T20 World Cup: Harbhajan Singh backed Abhishek Sharma to bounce back after two ducks in the T20 World Cup, including a four-ball duck vs Pakistan. The former spinner said Abhishek will deliver when India need him most.
Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh backed Abhishek Sharma to bounce back strongly from his tough start to the T20 World Cup, urging the young opener not to lose confidence after two scoreless outings.
Abhishek endured another disappointing evening in the marquee India vs Pakistan clash in Colombo on Sunday, falling for a four-ball duck, following his earlier duck in the tournament against the USA. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Harbhajan insisted the left-hander will recover from his illness-hit dip in form and deliver when it matters most.
IND vs PAK: Full Scorecard | Highlights
"Abhishek Sharma is a strong player, he should not be demoralised. He was breaking the backs of everyone just a couple of months back, and that time will come again. He should believe in himself. He should learn from these two matches and move forward," Harbhajan said.
"We are all with you, the team is with you, the management is with you, the whole nation is with you. We have full faith in Abhishek. He is going to come good in this tournament when Team India needs him the most," he added.
Despite boasting a strong spin attack in their XI, it was Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha who delivered the early breakthrough with a clever tactical move. Introducing himself into the attack straight away, Salman removed Abhishek Sharma inside the first over, dismissing the opener for a four-ball duck.
Anil Kumble believes Kolkata Knight Riders weakened their own title-winning core by releasing Shreyas Iyer and Phil Salt after their 2024 triumph. The former India captain criticised the franchise's inconsistent retention strategy.
Rohit Sharma believes India's recent success in ICC tournaments could be the start of a strong phase for the national teams. The India captain praised both men's and women's teams and hopes the winning run continues.
Suryakumar Yadav revealed how a phone call and a little faith helped Ishan Kishan stage a sensational comeback, earning him a spot in India's Men's T20 World Cup squad. Kishan capitalised on the opportunity, scoring 317 runs in nine matches.
Indian cricketer Kuldeep Yadav married his childhood friend, Vanshika Singh, on March 14 in a grand ceremony held in Mussoorie. The celebrations were even more special for Kuldeep, coming shortly after India's T20 World Cup 2026 triumph.
AIFF deputy secretary general M Satyanarayan says the federation replaced the Indian women's team's ill-fitting AFC Women's Asian Cup kits within seven hours, but the effort went unrecognised.
Pakistan national selector Aaqib Javed believes that the country and the country's cricket board need to move on from scapegoating culture to move forward in international cricket.
Speaking at the India Today Conclave in New Delhi, Abhishek Sharma revealed how his father and family helped him overcome a difficult T20 World Cup campaign, during which he battled poor form before scoring a match-winning 18-ball fifty in the final against New Zealand.
Kevin Pietersen has stepped down as Delhi Capitals mentor ahead of IPL 2026, saying he could not commit the time required, though he confirmed he will return to the commentary box during the tournament.
The PCB has denied reports that Pakistan players were fined PKR 5 million each for their T20 World Cup exit, with spokesperson Amir Mir clarifying that no penalties have been imposed, though the board is considering a performance-based accountability formula.
Salman Ali Agha has been given a reprimand and a demerit point following his outburst after the controversial run out during the second ODI against Bangladesh on Friday, March 13.
On this day on March 14, 2001, India overcame a massive first-innings deficit to script a remarkable 171-run victory against Australia in the 2001 Kolkata Test, powered by the record-breaking partnership of Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman and a dominant display by Harbhajan Singh on the final day.