T20 World Cup 2026: Sitanshu Kotak Backs Underfire Abhishek Sharma, Hints at Possible Top-Order Changes for Must-Win Zimbabwe Clash

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Chennai, Feb 25: India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak has thrown his weight behind out-of-form opener Abhishek Sharma but did not rule out tactical tweaks, including the possibility of Sanju Samson featuring in the must-win Super 8 fixture against Zimbabwe in the T20 World Cup on Thursday (February 26).

Coming into the tournament in blazing touch, Abhishek has endured a difficult campaign, managing just 15 runs from four matches at an average of 3.75 and a strike rate of 75. His struggles have coincided with India's top-order instability in high-pressure chases.

Kotak Urges Patience with Abhishek

Kotak, however, urged calm and perspective.

"Abhishek's health was a little bad, and after that, there wasn't that much momentum. But in the last game, he looked good, and over-thinking about one individual, personally, I never liked that," Kotak said at the pre-match press conference.

The left-hander had missed the group match against Namibia due to a stomach bug, and Kotak emphasised the importance of keeping him in the right mental space.

"When he was scoring 80, 70, 90 in 30 balls or 100 in 40, 50 balls, that time nobody was discussing. Our job is to keep him in a good frame of mind. Once he starts hitting the ball again, you'll see the same Abhishek again. In T20s, nobody can guarantee it will happen in the next match, but I don't think it's far," he added.

Samson in the Mix?

Abhishek's vulnerability against off-spin has been evident, including his dismissal to Netherlands' Aryan Dutt earlier in the tournament. With Zimbabwe expected to rely on spin, questions have arisen about whether Samson could be drafted in.

Kotak admitted that the team management is considering options without revealing specifics. "There can be changes, yes, because two left-handers are opening, number three is left-handed, and opposition is bowling spin. I personally don't think there is any problem in that but because we lost the last game and lost a wicket in the first over, obviously any team would think," he said.

He cautioned against reading too much into Samson batting ahead of Abhishek during net sessions. "Abhishek doesn't bat to start with. He usually bats in the second or third pair. Sanju is the third opener and a wicketkeeper, so he bats anywhere. Nets don't give any indication. Yes, definitely there will be thought about playing him. But we never decide the team too early," Kotak clarified.

No Concerns Over Tilak Varma

Another talking point has been the strike rate of No.3 Tilak Varma, who has scored at 118 in the tournament, slowing momentum after brisk starts from Ishan Kishan.

Kotak dismissed concerns over Tilak's approach. "In the Pakistan game, our target was 175 and on that wicket it was good enough. The ball was spinning there. Any team wouldn't want to lose 3-4 wickets in clusters. For Tilak, it's a matter of two boundaries. Sometimes a batter doesn't get those balls. One or two boundaries and a six, and he gets going," he explained.

He insisted that neither Tilak nor Abhishek is under any instruction to play defensively.

"There is no tension over Tilak or Abhishek," Kotak asserted.

A Crucial Test Ahead for Team India

With India's Super 8 campaign delicately poised after their defeat to South Africa, the clash against Zimbabwe assumes massive significance. The team management must balance backing their struggling stars with making pragmatic calls in a must-win situation.

Whether India persist with Abhishek at the top or spring a surprise inclusion remains to be seen. What is clear is that the margin for experimentation is rapidly shrinking as the knockout phase looms.