Former South African captain Faf du Plessis and Indian cricket legend Anil Kumble offered an in-depth analysis of Abhishek Sharma’s pivotal performance in the T20 World Cup 2026 final. Sharma, who started the tournament with three ducks, delivered his most impactful display in the decisive match.
The left-handed batter smashed a sensational fifty off just 18 balls against New Zealand in the final. His blistering knock propelled India to an impressive 92 for no loss during the powerplay, with Sanju Samson also contributing significantly. Together, they laid the groundwork for India to post a match-winning total of 255 for 5 wickets.
Du Plessis observed Sharma’s tactical evolution, noting: “He [is] like all good players. When he was up against South Africa, they bowled all the slower balls to him, took the pace off, [went] really wide. He’s now seen what teams do – they have the two fielders on the off side, whether it’s two there or a point or a cover. Tonight, he knew what the plan was going to be and he just moved across and had the closest thing to hit the ball to the left side. So that shows you something he’s worked on: it’s tactically, how do I counter it when they go wide and slow to me?”
Kumble concurred, emphasizing that Sharma’s approach was deliberate. He played cautiously during the second over from off-spinner Glenn Phillips but attacked once the seamers returned. Sharma had struggled against off-spin earlier in the tournament, averaging merely 9.67 with a strike rate of 107.41, making Phillips’ second over an intriguing early match-up.
Kumble explained: “That’s his game plan – he likes pace. And as Faf mentioned, New Zealand had a very clear plan: bowl slower and wider with that extra cover there. Abhishek moved away from the line to counter that and looked to play straight, which is something he does well. And he looked to hit straight and then whenever it was a bit short, he took them on. So, yes, really good innings. He survived that one over of offspin [from Phillips], which again, he defended.”
“He was literally playing with a dead [straight] bat. So, it was not like he was looking to play across, although there was not much spin. He looked to play straight and once he got through that six or seven balls in that first two overs, then he was on a roll,” he added.
Kumble criticized New Zealand’s bowling strategy, suggesting they should have utilized Phillips for another over instead of rotating four different bowlers during the powerplay. “He [Phillips] should have followed up because even Matt Henry bowled a good first over. He got hit for a six, but then Glenn Phillips followed it up with a nice over. And then suddenly, Mitch Santner thought that he needs to get Duffy in, [Lockie] Ferguson in. So, there were four bowlers in that powerplay, which was, I thought, a bit slightly, a bit of overthinking there,” Kumble stated. He also highlighted Phillips’ absence when Sharma was on strike in the fourth over.
Du Plessis understood Mitchell Santner’s thinking but felt that the uncertainty around a part-time option might have influenced the decision. He noted that Cole McConchie is a proven performer against South Africa, and his presence could have stemmed the flow of runs in the powerplay. “What Mitch Santner is thinking there is, there is the offspin match-up, so we have to try it. But it’s a part-time offspinner, so I’m not sure what he’s going to do in his second over when both batters are set. Which brings me back to the conversation, McConchie being a weapon against the left-handers in the powerplay. Proven and tested against South Africa, got two massive wickets, and he also stopped the powerplay,” said Du Plessis. “Now, Abhishek has faced two or three balls against the offspinner. And then it seamed from both ends, which is exactly, if you ask him what he wants, he got that today,” he concluded.
