Morkel backs Abhishek to find his mojo for England clash

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Abhishek Sharma has been under the scanner following low returns in the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. The 26-year-old opener, who has been India’s standout batter in the shortest format over the past two years, has struggled for runs at the marquee tournament.

He has managed just 80 runs in six matches, with a highest score of 55 against Zimbabwe. Three consecutive ducks at the start of the campaign have raised questions about whether his confidence has taken a hit.

India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel, however, has backed Abhishek to rediscover his touch soon, stating that it is a tough phase for the left-hander. Morkel highlighted how Sanju Samson famously bounced back from a similar lean patch with a match-winning knock against the West Indies.

“No, I think just sometimes this game can be hard on you, cruel on you, similar to the situation that Sanju found himself in,” he told reporters on the eve of India's semi-final against England.

“In your career you're going to find moments like this and this is good growth for him, it's good learning for him, for a young sort of guy finding his feet in international cricket, this will only help him down the line and for Indian cricket.”

Abhishek Sharma will be hoping he can rekindle the form he showcased the last time the two sides met in a T20I in Mumbai. Just over a year ago, when India faced England at the Wankhede Stadium, the opener lit up the fixture with a breathtaking knock of 135 off just 54 balls.

“Abhishek, his way of playing is one or two shots that can find him that rhythm, that can give him that confidence back and that for me is a pleasing sign,” said Morkel.

“It's a fresh page for him tomorrow, opportunity to go and do well, scored a hundred here against England not so long ago, so for him it's just tapping into those little videos and looking at his feel-good moments and building a blueprint and knowing he's starting on zero tomorrow, it's a new opportunity for him and enough for him to make a play.”

India will face England in a T20 World Cup semi-final for the third consecutive time, adding another chapter to what has become a gripping knockout rivalry between the two sides.

“I think playing against England, a team that is street smart, obviously there is a lot of quality in their side, batting quite long, deep, which makes them a very dangerous side, and then with the ball also, they have got wicked taking options.”

In the T20 World Cup 2022 semi-final, Jos Buttler and Alex Hales stitched together a record-breaking partnership to power England into the final. However, India turned the tables in the 2024 edition, getting the better of England by 64 runs.

Morne Morkel expects England to once again be a tough competitor and is anticipating a thrilling contest tomorrow as two aggressive sides go head-to-head.

“I think the way they approach a T20 game, fearless, trying to take the game on, will give you opportunities and makes them a dangerous side.”

“I feel tomorrow is going to be a good shoot-out between two aggressive teams, and the side that can hold their nerves and play the conditions and read some of the conditions quite well and the quickest, I reckon will come out on top,” said Morkel.

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