Abhishek Sharma's father has revealed how India wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson played a crucial role in supporting the young opener during a difficult phase in the T20 World Cup, offering words of belief when doubts around his form were growing.
Abhishek entered the tournament as one of India's key batters but struggled to maintain consistency with the bat in the early matches. Despite the dip in form, he continued to receive backing from teammates and the team management, eventually delivering a crucial performance in the final.

Speaking in an interview with News Nation, Abhishek Sharma's father shared how Sanju Samson repeatedly reassured him about the batter's ability and future potential.
Abhishek's father recalled multiple conversations with Samson during the tournament, highlighting the confidence the wicketkeeper showed in the young batter despite his struggles.
"Whenever I met Sanju, I used to ask him, "Sanju bhai, what happened to Abhishek?"
He would always say, "Uncle, don't worry. He is a very big player. He won't just play, he will dominate. In the coming time, he will win matches for India."
So I told him, "Thank you, Sanju. The way you speak with so much belief and affection, I'm a fan of yours."
He replied, "No, no paaji, it's not like that."
But you can clearly see the confidence he has in him. He is a very big player, players like him are rare. And whenever he gets the chance, he has already shown you his class." [News Nation]
The remarks underline the strong dressing-room support system that often plays a critical role in helping players navigate periods of poor form.
Abhishek Sharma featured in most matches during the T20 World Cup campaign, though his early performances did not match expectations. He managed modest returns in the initial fixtures, which led to speculation about his place in the playing XI.
However, the team management continued to back him, including in the knockout stages. That trust paid off when Abhishek delivered a key innings in the final against New Zealand, scoring a rapid half-century that helped India secure momentum in the title clash.
His turnaround from early struggles to delivering in the final highlighted both his resilience and the value of sustained backing from teammates and support staff.
With continued confidence from senior players like Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma's journey through the tournament stands as an example of how belief and patience can help players overcome challenging phases at the highest level.