How Shivam Dube’s Bat Helped Abhishek Sharma Rediscover Form in T20 World Cup Final

Abhishek Sharma walked into the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 as one of India's most explosive players and a leading contender for the Player of the Tournament award. But by the time the knockouts arrived, the narrative had shifted dramatically.

A lean run with the bat had raised questions about his form and place in the side. Yet on the biggest stage - the final against New Zealand in Ahmedabad - Abhishek produced the kind of innings that reminded everyone why the Indian team had backed him throughout the tournament.

And in a surprising twist, the turning point came with a simple change: he picked up Shivam Dube's bat.

Abhishek Sharma struggles before the final

Abhishek had endured a difficult phase during the latter stages of the tournament. Despite beginning the competition with high expectations, the aggressive opener managed just 89 runs from eight innings before the final, with his strike rate hovering around 130.

The dip in form became a talking point as India approached the knockouts. However, captain Suryakumar Yadav publicly backed the young batter, insisting the team would support him the same way he had carried the side during his purple patch earlier.

A decision on the morning of India vs New Zealand

Ahead of the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Abhishek decided to try something different.

Instead of using his own equipment, he borrowed Shivam Dube's bat - a seemingly casual decision that ended up changing the course of the night.

"Today I batted with Shivam Dube's bat, so thank you Dube," Abhishek said after the match.

"In the morning I felt like trying something different. Shubman (Gill) was not around, so I walked up to Dube and picked his bat."

A blistering knock in the final

The change seemed to work instantly. Abhishek began cautiously, defending his first ball from Glenn Phillips to gauge the pitch conditions. Once he realised the surface offered true bounce and pace, he switched gears dramatically.

The opener raced to a half-century in just 18 balls and finished with a stunning 52 off 21 deliveries, setting the platform for India's massive total of 255/5 in the final.

His explosive start helped India dominate the powerplay and laid the foundation for a crushing 96-run victory over New Zealand.

The dressing-room support that mattered

Beyond the bat change, Abhishek credited the team environment for helping him come through a difficult phase.

"I have been dealing with this phase for the last one month after having a dream run for about a year and a half," he said.

"One thing matters a lot in such situations - the company you keep. If the people around you want to help you become better, it makes a big difference."

Despite his struggles, teammates and coaches continued to express faith in him, repeatedly telling him that his big innings was around the corner.

A lesson beyond cricket

For Abhishek, the turnaround in the World Cup final carried a message that extended beyond sport.

He emphasised the importance of trust and self-belief during tough periods, noting that doubt can often become a bigger obstacle than the opposition.

"The first thing is to trust yourself no matter how bad the phase is," he said.

"When you start doubting yourself, it creates pressure and you cannot play your natural game."

On a night when India created history by defending their T20 World Cup title and winning the trophy for the third time, Abhishek Sharma's comeback story - sparked by a teammate's bat and unwavering dressing-room support - became one of the tournament's most memorable subplots.