T20 World Cup 2026: Why did India stick with Abhishek Sharma despite repeated failures?

India’s decision to keep faith in explosive opener Abhishek Sharma despite his inconsistent performances during theICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 sparked debate throughout the tournament. However, head coach Gautam Gambhir has now clarified the reasoning behind the team management’s unwavering support for the young batter.

India eventually went on to clinch their third T20 World Cup title after defeating New Zealand national cricket team in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday.

In a recent interview, Gambhir said the team’s selection approach was based on trust and belief in players rather than judging them solely on short-term results.

According to the Indian head coach, once a player is selected with confidence and faith, the management does not withdraw that backing after a few unsuccessful games. He explained that selecting players only on the basis of hope can quickly lead to doubts when performances do not immediately follow.

Gambhir emphasised that the trust extended to Sharma was the same trust given to every member of the 15-player squad. The team management believed that whenever any player got an opportunity, they had the ability to deliver when it mattered most. He also stressed that the squad consistently prioritised the team’s success over individual achievements.

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The former opener also highlighted that the coaching staff evaluates players not just on the number of runs they score but on the intent and impact they bring to the game. Gambhir pointed out that Sharma never slowed the team down with cautious innings during his lean patch. Instead, he continued to play attacking cricket, which aligned with the team’s aggressive approach.

The coach said that an innings where a batter scores slowly can sometimes be more damaging than getting out while trying to score quickly. Therefore, the message to Sharma was clear - if runs were not coming, he should continue playing with even greater attacking intent rather than becoming defensive.

Gambhir also cited the example of Sanju Samson to illustrate how form can fluctuate during a major tournament. He noted that it is unrealistic to expect every player in a World Cup squad to be in top form simultaneously.

Samson, who had struggled for runs in the series against New Zealand national cricket team before the tournament, went on to deliver outstanding performances during the World Cup. In contrast, Sharma experienced the opposite trajectory before eventually making a significant contribution.

The youngster finally justified the team’s faith by producing a crucial knock in the final, smashing a rapid 52 off just 21 balls to give India a strong start and set the platform for their massive total.

Gambhir concluded by reiterating that while fans and critics often judge players purely by statistics, the team management focuses on the overall influence a player has on the match.