T20 World Cup 2026: ‘He survived the offspin and then was on a roll’ - Faf du Plessis & Anil Kumble dissects Abhishek Sharma’s final knock

Former South African captain Faf du Plessis and Anil Kumble analysed Abhishek Sharma’s innings and the tactical adjustments behind his knock. The left-handed batter had started the tournament with three ducks but saved his most impactful performance for the final.

Abhishek smashed an 18-ball fifty against New Zealand in the T20 World Cup final. His innings helped India reach 92 for 0 in the powerplay, with Sanju Samson also contributing his best. Together, they laid the foundation for India to post a match-winning total of 255 for 5.

"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?," said Du Plessis as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

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Kumble agreed that Abhishek’s approach was deliberate. He played cautiously during the second over from off-spinner Glenn Phillips, but attacked once the seamers returned. Abhishek had struggled against off-spin earlier in the tournament, averaging just 9.67 with a strike rate of 107.41, making Phillips’ second over an intriguing early match-up.

"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,” said Kumble.

"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.

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Kumble felt that New Zealand, who had replaced off-spinner Cole McConchie with seamer Jacob Duffy, should have bowled another over of Phillips instead of using four different bowlers in 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,” said Kumble.

"You expect the offspinner to bowl at Abhishek Sharma. Fourth over, when the bowler [Ferguson] had to start, Abhishek Sharma was on strike. So, he could have, again, bowled Glenn Phillips,” he added.

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Du Plessis understood Mitchell Santner’s thinking but felt that the uncertainty around a part-time option may have influenced the decision. He noted that 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.