Indian batter Abhishek Sharma is one of the young players to watch in IPL 2026. As the tournament approaches, cricket legends have shared advice on how he can improve his game and handle pressure.
Former players AB de Villiers and Anil Kumble believe Sharma has great potential but needs to make small adjustments to become more consistent.
AB de Villiers Suggests Learning From Virat Kohli
AB de Villiers recently spoke about Abhishek Sharma’s current challenges and suggested that the young batter can learn from Virat Kohli’s approach to pressure.
According to de Villiers, Kohli’s success comes from constantly analysing his own performance and staying focused even when expectations are high.
He advised Sharma not to feel overwhelmed by outside pressure. Instead, he should return to training, work on his technique and focus on enjoying the game.
De Villiers believes that maintaining this mindset can help Sharma rediscover his best form.
Anil Kumble’s Advice on Batting Strategy
Former India captain Anil Kumble also shared his views on Abhishek Sharma’s batting.
Kumble said Sharma should continue playing his natural attacking style but also improve his strategy against certain bowlers, especially off-spinners.
He explained that aggressive batters sometimes struggle against specific bowling styles, so planning and patience become important.
Kumble also suggested that Sharma should think more about what shots to avoid in certain situations, which can help build consistency.
Abhishek Sharma’s T20 World Cup 2026 Performance
Abhishek Sharma had a mixed campaign in the T20 World Cup 2026. While he showed flashes of brilliance, he also faced some difficult innings.
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Sharma’s T20 World Cup 2026 Statistics
| Matches | Runs | Average |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | 141 | 17.63 |
Key Moments From the Tournament
| Match Situation | Performance |
|---|---|
| Against USA | Duck |
| Against Pakistan | Duck |
| Against Netherlands | Duck |
| Against Zimbabwe | 55 runs |
| Final vs New Zealand | 52 runs off 21 balls |
In the final, Sharma scored a quick 52 from 21 balls and shared a 98-run opening partnership with Sanju Samson, helping India win the title by 96 runs.
IPL 2025 Performance
Abhishek Sharma enjoyed a strong season in IPL 2025 with Sunrisers Hyderabad. He scored runs quickly and played several match-winning innings.
IPL 2025 Statistics
| Matches | Runs | Average | Strike Rate | 100s | 50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | 439 | 33.77 | 193.39 | 1 | 2 |
Despite Sharma’s strong performance, Sunrisers Hyderabad finished sixth in the points table and missed the playoffs.
Upcoming Match in IPL 2026
Sunrisers Hyderabad will begin their IPL 2026 campaign against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on March 28.
SRH Opening Match
| Match | Date |
|---|---|
| Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru | March 28 |
Fans will be watching closely to see how Abhishek Sharma performs in the new season and whether he can apply the advice given by experienced players.
Abhishek Sharma remains one of the key players in the Sunrisers Hyderabad batting lineup. His aggressive style has already made him a dangerous T20 batter.
The advice from AB de Villiers and Anil Kumble focuses on handling pressure, improving strategy and maintaining consistency.
If Sharma can combine his attacking ability with smarter decision-making, he could become an even more important player for SRH in IPL 2026.
