Ahmedabad, March 9: Indian left-handed opener Abhishek Sharma credited his teammate Shivam Dube for helping him regain his form in the 2026 Men's T20 World Cup final, revealing that he used Dube's bat during his blistering knock of 52 off 21 balls that set up India's emphatic 96-run victory over New Zealand at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
"I batted with Shivam Dube's bat, so thank you, Dube. In the morning, I felt like trying something different. Shubman (Gill) was not around, so I approached Dube and took his bat," said Abhishek in a post-match press conference.
Besides dealing with a stomach infection and its aftereffects, Abhishek had struggled through the tournament, scoring only 89 runs leading up to the final. But on Sunday, he turned the tide with a 21-ball 52, including getting his fifty in 18 balls, and laid the foundation for India to win their third Men's T20 World Cup title.
Reflecting on his struggles in the last month, Abhishek said that the support from his team helped him immensely. "I have been dealing with this phase for the last month, after having a successful run for about a year and a half. One thing matters a lot in such situations – the people you surround yourself with.
"If the people around you want to help you improve, it makes a big difference. When I was not contributing with the bat, everyone on the team still believed in me. They kept saying, 'He will do it'. I never doubted my teammates, coaches, or the support staff.
"The only question I had was why things were not working for me. I believe the environment around you matters a lot. The people around you should motivate you. Everyone goes through tough phases in life, not just in cricket. At that time, the people you surround yourself with become very important," he elaborated.
The unwavering support from his teammates proved enough for Abhishek to rediscover his touch on the biggest stage of his cricketing career. "The first thing is to trust yourself, no matter how bad the situation is. When you start doubting yourself, it creates pressure, and you cannot play your natural game.
"That doesn't help the team either. Self-confidence, hard work, and helping others are very important. When you help others, it eventually comes back to you," he concluded.
