“There is a lack of confidence” - Anil Kumble backs Abhishek Sharma to contribute well in T20 World Cup 2026 knockouts

Former Indian spinner Anil Kumble has stated that the dashing opening batter Abhishek Sharma is currently suffering from a lack of confidence as he got out for an 11-ball 10-run knock in the virtual quarter-final clash against the West Indies at the Eden Gardens on Sunday, March 1.

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Speaking exclusively to ESPNcricinfo, Kumble has backed the opening batter to start contributing in the business end of the tournament, while adding that the English all-rounder Will Jacks will pose a strong challenge in the second semi-final at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Thursday, March 5.

"The head is a bit muddled. There is a lack of confidence. You want others to take the pressure off, and India has done well. Now that India has won, he'll say, I need to start contributing. England will pose a different challenge. They also have Jacks. I don't see Harry Brook holding back Jacks. He has bowled in the powerplay, so he bowls well,” Anil Kumble said on Star Sports.

On the other hand, the former South African captain Faf du Plessis has asserted that when the team is winning, the guy who is out-of-form gets carried by the team, adding that there would’ve been a lot of finger-pointing at Sharma had India lost the clash to the Caribbeans.

"The nice thing is that they won. When you are winning, the guy who is out of form gets carried by the team. If you lose, there is finger-pointing. A guy needs to take the brunt of the loss. So, if India had lost, there would have been a lot of finger-pointing at him. So now there is a hopeful outlook - can he do it in the semifinals, or can he turn it around?" Faf du Plessis said.

India will take on England in the second semi-final of the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2026 campaign at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Thursday, March 5.

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