‘That is not believable’ – Legendary spinner on Abhishek Sharma’s horror show at T20 World Cup 2026

Former India spinner R Ashwin has opened up on Abhishek Sharma’s wretched run in the T20 World Cup 2026. The southpaw has yet to open his account, having scored three ducks in as many games he has played so far.

Abhishek missed India’s clash against Namibia in Delhi with a stomach bug after an ominous World Cup debut against USA in Mumbai. He returned against Pakistan in Colombo but once again failed to open his account. His rut extended further in Ahmedabad against Netherlands, with the batter yet to get off the mark in his World Cup career going into the Super 8 clash against South Africa on February 22.

Ashwin described the sequence of events as “quite surprising” and “something that is not believable”, considering the kind of form Abhishek was in coming to the global event.

“Abhishek Sharma is a player who has come in with some form but is yet to get off the mark. That is quite surprising and audacious. In many ways something that is not believable. He has been the player to watch out for in the fraternity and there have been some questions raised. There are many talented players in India and there is one sitting on the bench and there have been question marks. But Surya has handled it well. Abhishek can use this game to take some time and come back to form,” he said on his YouTube channel.

Meanwhile, India have won all four games so far while defending. Ashwin expressed mild concern regarding that, stating that the team might be challenged if it needs to chase a big total on pitches with some assistance for bowlers or in the absence of dew.

While he labelled India as the favourites against South Africa in the Super Eight clash, he also urged Suryakumar Yadav and Co. to be wary of Proteas’ power-hitting. South Africa also hold a slight advantage, having played three of their four games in Ahmedabad.

“Going by what has happened recently, India’s biggest pitfall could be having to chase a good score on pitches that are not absolutely placid and with no dew coming in later on. They have got an X factor bowling line-up, which again stands out.”