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    STUMP VISION                                                       FEBRUARY 27, 2026       |  The Indian Eye 39

                Abhishek Sharma’s Power Paradox:

             When Expectation Becomes a Burden

            India’s World No.1 T20I batter finds himself battling not just bowlers, but the weight of reputation.

            OUR BUREAU
            Mumbai
                     hen Aryan Dutt uprooted Abhishek Shar-
                     ma’s stumps in the very first over at the
            WNarendra Modi Stadium on Wednesday,
            it marked more than just an early breakthrough for
            the Netherlands. It was Sharma’s third consecutive
            duck in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup — a startling
            slump for the world’s No.1-ranked T20I batter and
            a development that has cast an unexpected shadow
            over India’s campaign.Top of FormBottom of Form
                For a batter known for explosive starts, the
            numbers are jarring. Three innings, three failures,
            no runs. For India, a team that thrives on strong
            powerplay foundations, Abhishek’s early depar-
            tures have exposed a vulnerability at the top. For
            Abhishek himself, the dismissals suggest a deeper
            battle — one between natural aggression and the
            mounting pressure of expectation.
                Legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar believes
            the issue is less technical and more psychological.
            Speaking about him, Gavaskar said the left-handed
            batter appears burdened by the label of being In-
            dia’s premier six-hitter and top-ranked T20I batter.
            “Abhishek Sharma is a lovely guy, but expectations
            seem to be weighing on him. If he had started well
            against USA, it would have been different. Now, the   Abhishek Sharma walks back after getting out for a duck in India’s match against the Netherlands (ANI)
            pressure of being the big six-hitter and top batter
            is showing. With his shot range, he needs to spend   dot balls don’t matter. He can make up for them   ball. For a young cricketer, that environment can
            time in the middle. He cannot try to hit a boundary   later. He needs to play smart at the start. Spend an   subtly shift intent from playing the situation to play-
            or six on the first ball of his innings. If the big shots   over or two settling in, then play his natural game.   ing the image.
            come, fine. But he shouldn’t force himself to play   First, just get off the mark. Every batter wants that   India’s team management now faces a strategic
            the big shots across the line,” he said on Star Sports.  first run. Once he gets it, everything will fall into   question.  Do  they  encourage  Abhishek  to  persist
                That observation cuts to the heart of the prob-  place,” said Gavaskar.                with his attacking instinct, trusting that one fluent
            lem. Abhishek’s brand of cricket has always been   In T20 cricket, where the format rewards im-  innings will reset his campaign? Or do they subtly
            built around fearless strokeplay. In franchise leagues   mediate impact, the idea of “settling in” may seem   nudge him towards a more measured powerplay
            and bilateral series, that aggression brought success   outdated. Yet modern T20 success stories often re-  role, especially in knockout scenarios where stabili-
            and admiration. But in a World Cup, where every   veal a pattern: the best finishers and power-hitters   ty is paramount?
            innings is magnified and every failure amplified, the   still prioritize rhythm over recklessness. A single, a   History suggests that elite players often re-
            same approach can become high-risk — particularly   couple of watchful deliveries, an understanding of   spond best by returning to basics. Abhishek does
            if executed without early assessment of conditions.  bounce and pace — these are not signs of hesitation   not need a reinvention; he needs recalibration. The
                Against the Netherlands, his dismissal once   but of control.                          talent that took him to the top of the rankings has
            again came from an attempt to dominate too early.   For Abhishek, the dilemma lies in balancing   not vanished in three innings. What has shifted is
            In high-pressure tournaments, bowlers are acute-  identity with adaptability. His strength is his range   the mental tempo — perhaps a fraction too hurried,
            ly aware of reputations. Opponents no longer see   — the ability to hit straight, over mid-wicket, square   a touch too eager to justify his reputation.
            Abhishek as a promising youngster; they see the   of the wicket, and against spin or pace alike. But   Tournaments can turn quickly. One composed
            World No.1 batter. Plans are tighter. Lines are dis-  range is most effective when built on a platform of   40 off 25 balls, built after a cautious start, could re-
            ciplined. Variations are ready.              presence. Without spending time at the crease, that   store rhythm and silence doubts. As Gavaskar em-
                Gavaskar offered practical advice that speaks   range becomes theoretical.             phasized, even four dot balls do not define a T20
            to situational awareness rather than a wholesale   There is also the broader context of leadership   innings. What matters is constructing it smartly.
            change in approach.                          and expectations. Being the World No.1 T20I bat-  For now, Abhishek Sharma stands at an inflec-
                The former India captain said Abhishek should   ter carries symbolic weight. It signals dominance. It   tion point — not of ability, but of approach. Wheth-
            allow himself time to settle before unleashing his   creates anticipation every time he walks out to bat.   er he embraces patience before power may deter-
            natural game.                                Crowds expect fireworks. Broadcasters frame nar-  mine not just his tournament, but how he evolves as
                “Take a single and get off the mark. Even four   ratives around impact. Social media dissects every   a global T20 force.

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