India opener Abhishek Sharma credited coach Gautam Gambhir and T20I skipper Suryakumar Yadav for their unwavering support during his challenging period, which culminated in a match-winning knock against England in the first T20I of the series on January 22 in Kolkata.

Sharma's scintillating innings not only guided India to a comfortable victory but also silenced critics questioning his form.

Speaking at the post-match press conference, Abhishek credited Gambhir and Suryakumar for their consistent backing, which helped him .He mentioned how the team management encouraged him to focus on his strengths, which instilled the self-belief required to perform under pressure.

"As a batsman it can play on your mind if you don't score runs in 3-4-5 innings, but the way the coach and captain have managed all the players, even when I've not done well - even then they tell us, 'we know you're gonna win the game for us, any game, just go and express yourself. I think when the captain or coach say this, you get confidence and you back yourself," Abhishek said.

"In India there will always be a lot of competition [when it comes to selection] in our senior team. But when Suryakumar and Gautam paaji tell me to always keep my intent, that was a big moment for me, that when the team wants me to do that, then I can do it," he added.

. faced early setbacks as both Sanju Samson and captain Suryakumar Yadav were dismissed for 26 and a duck, respectively. However, Abhishek rose to the occasion, smashing 79 off just 34 balls, laced with 8 sixes and 5 boundaries. His dominating performance ensured India comfortably sealed the victory despite the shaky start.

Before this innings, Abhishek's position in the squad was under scrutiny due to inconsistent performances. Despite making an impressive start to his career with a century against Zimbabwe, he managed only 256 runs in 13 matches, including a solitary fifty against South Africa. His struggles raised calls for other notice-worthy players like Yashasvi Jaiswal or Shubman Gill to replace him in the squad.

Against England, Abhishek showcased why the team management placed their faith in him. Partnering with Tilak Varma, he stitched together an 84-run partnership off just 42 balls for the third wicket, taking the game away from the visitors. Though he was dismissed in the 12th over, his knock had already laid a strong foundation for the victory.

With four matches remaining in the series, Abhishek has an opportunity to further strengthen his claim for a permanent spot in India's T20I setup. With the Indian Premier League and the 2026 T20 World Cup fast approaching, the opener will look to carry forward this momentum and establish himself as a key player in India's plans for the future.