Abhishek Sharma’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign took a turn for the worse after he claimed his third duck in the competition. On Wednesday, February 18, Abhishek failed to open his account in India’s last and final Group A match against the Netherlands at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
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Aryan Dutt accounted for his wicket in the very first over after India opted to bat first in the contest. The left-handed Abhishek also registered his fifth T20I duck this year, equaling Sanju Samson’s unwanted record of most ducks for Indians in T20Is in a calendar year. He has faced seven balls so far in this tournament but is still waiting to take his first wicket and get off the mark.
HOW DUTT GOT A BETTER ABHISHEK
Dutt set up Abhishek Sharma brilliantly before delivering the decisive blow. He started with a flatter delivery at 95.9kph, took it to the left-hander, forced Abhishek to stay on the leg side and play cautiously towards cover. The next ball was quicker and again slipped in, with Abhishek hanging back and he eased it to cover, still unable to break free.
As Dutt created this uncertainty, he asserted himself at an even greater pace. The new ball skidded off the surface and Abhishek, expecting a fraction more bounce and width, shaped up for the pull. However, the delivery was not short enough. It rushed at him, skimmed past his bat and hit the stumps.
HOW DID ABHISHEK DO IN 2026?
Abhishek Sharma was dismissed by fast bowler Ali Khan in India’s opening match against the United States (USA) on February 7 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. He then missed the subsequent match against Namibia after being admitted to hospital with a stomach ailment.
Abhishek returned to the playing XI in place of Sanju Samson for the clash against Pakistan, but fell to Salman Agh while attempting a shot directly on the ground. After his dismissal against the Dutch, Abhishek recorded his fifth duck in his eighth T20I appearance this year. His next two ducks came in Raipur and Visakhapatnam during the T20I series against New Zealand.
In this year’s T20Is, Abhishek has had mixed fortunes, scoring 182 runs from eight matches at an average of 26. His highest score of 84 came in the series opener against the Kiwis in Nagpur. He will be eager to turn things around when India take on South Africa in their first Super 8 match on February 22 in Ahmedabad.
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Issued by:
sabyasachi chowdhury
Published on:
February 18, 2026