Suryakumar Yadav reveals why he backed Abhishek Sharma through three ducks before the 2026 T20 World Cup final

India captain Suryakumar Yadav has opened up on his decision to keep faith in Abhishek Sharma during the 2026 Men's T20 World Cup, even after the left-handed opener registered three consecutive ducks in the tournament's group stage. Suryakumar's backing proved decisive when Abhishek produced a match-winning 52 off 21 balls at a strike rate of 247.62 in the final against New Zealand on March 8, at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad. India won the final by 96 runs to claim the title, becoming the first team to defend the Men's T20 World Cup since the tournament's inception and the first to win it on home soil.

Abhishek had been ranked the No. 1 batter in T20Is before the tournament began, making his run of three straight ducks at the World Cup all the more difficult to manage for the team management. Yet Suryakumar and the coaching staff remained firm in their assessment of the opener's match-winning potential. Suryakumar, who became captain in 2024, explained that his confidence in Abhishek was built on what he had witnessed from the 25-year-old across the previous year, when the left-hander had risen to become the No. 1 batter in T20Is.

"When I became the captain in 2024, the first time I saw him, I understood that this is a player who will win me the World Cup. Then, with how he played throughout the year, he was the No. 1 batter in T20Is and finished half the game in the powerplay itself. I wanted a player who could do those things. I was completely dazzled," Suryakumar said in an interview with Aakash Chopra.

Suryakumar explained that he and the coaching staff made a deliberate choice not to put any additional pressure on Abhishek after his failures in the group stage. The captain's belief was rooted in what he had seen from the 25-year-old across the previous year, and he was confident that Abhishek needed only a few overs at the crease to produce a decisive contribution. Rather than changing the opener's approach or burdening him with expectations, the management chose silence as their strategy.

"I told him that irrespective of anything, play in the same fashion till the World Cup because this is your identity. He started in the World Cup and could not score. I didn't talk to him at all. The coach also didn't say anything because he knew what this player can do if he batted for just six overs. Before the final, he was thinking, 'Main karunga aap ke liye paaji (I will do it for you).' I told him that there is no responsibility or pressure on you; just show me your game. There is no problem if you get out while trying to hit a six on the first ball," Suryakumar said.

The approach reflected a clear strategy from the captain to protect Abhishek's natural game rather than burden him with expectations after a difficult run of form. The decision to keep communication minimal was a conscious one, shared by both the captain and the coaching staff.

Abhishek's 52 off 21 balls was a central part of India's commanding total of 255/5 in 20 overs in the final at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad. His explosive powerplay contribution set the platform for the innings, with Sanju Samson adding 89 off 46 balls and Ishan Kishan contributing 54 off 25 balls as India posted a formidable score against New Zealand.

New Zealand were bowled out for 159 in 19 overs in reply, with Jasprit Bumrah taking four wickets. India won the final by 96 runs to claim the title, completing a dominant performance across all departments. The victory made India the first team to defend the Men's T20 World Cup title since the tournament's inception, and also the first team to win the Men's T20 World Cup on home soil. Suryakumar, who became captain in 2024, led the side to this historic double, with his man-management of Abhishek Sharma standing out as one of the defining decisions of the campaign.