Young batsman Abhishek Sharma added another unwanted milestone to his career after being dismissed for a duck in three balls in the T20 World Cup 2026 Group A match against Netherlands. The world No. 1 T20I batsman equaled his teammate Sanju Samson’s record of joint-most dismissals in a calendar year for India in T20Is.
Abhishek was out for duck against Netherlands in Ahmedabad on Wednesday, February 18. The left-handed opening batsman was bowled by off-spinner Aryan Dutt on the third ball of India’s innings. It is noteworthy that this was Sharma’s third consecutive dismissal in the ongoing T20 World Cup.
Earlier in the Group A matches, they had faced similar failure against United States of America (USA) and Pakistan. The Indian batsman has not scored a single run in the tournament so far.
Abhishek Sharma joins Sanju Samson in unwanted list after fifth duck in 2026
Abhishek Sharma registered his fifth wicket in T20Is in 2026. He joined the list of opening batsmen with most number of wickets in a calendar year in the shortest format. Only Saim Ayub is above him in this unwanted list, who has six zeros in his name in 2025.
Sharma has the second highest number of dismissals by an opener in a calendar year. Thailand’s Chaloemvong Chatphaisan (2024), Nepal’s Kushal Bhurtel (2024), Indonesia’s Dharma Kesuma (2025), and Bangladesh’s Parvez Hossain Imon (2025) also recorded five ducks.
The 25-year-old player has played only eight matches this year. He has also equaled Sanju Samson in terms of most dismissals by an Indian in a calendar year. Samson made a record of being out on zero five times in 2024.
Abhishek Sharma will have to give himself some more time – Sunil Gavaskar
Speaking on Star Sports, former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar said that Abhishek Sharma needs to spend more time at the crease. He said that the expectations as a big hitter and No. 1 T20I batsman are pushing Abhishek to attack very early.
Gavaskar said on Star Sports, “Maybe the expectations were burdening him a bit. He is a lovely boy. If he had got a good start in the first game, things could have been different. But now, you can understand that the expectations of being the big man, the six-hitter, the No. 1 batsman in the team must be burdening him.”
“I think with the range of shots he has, he has to give himself a little more time in the middle. Not looking to start his innings with a four or a six. If he does that, fine – but looking to play across the line for the big shot, no. Even if there are four dot balls, it doesn’t matter because he can make up for it in the next four to eight balls.”
Abhishek Sharma will have to play smart cricket – Sunil Gavaskar
Sunil Gavaskar advised Abhishek Sharma to give up the pressure of the strike-rate label and play smart cricket. He said that taking singles, getting outside the mark and reading the pitch will help Abhishek to settle down, after which the big runs will come automatically.
“He has to play smart cricket. He has to get circulation in his legs. He has to get off the mark. If you are playing for India, you have to get off the mark and everything will fall into place. The way he is getting out is very predictable.”
“The mentality is like, ‘I’m seen as someone who hits at a strike-rate of 200, I’ve got to live up to that.’ You don’t have to do this. It’s quite natural – after you take a few singles, you get a feel for the pitch. “Once he gets settled, he will score big,” Gavaskar said.
Also read: Ishan Kishan challenges Abhishek Sharma by breaking into top 10 of ICC T20I batting rankings
