IPL 2026
Netizens React as Jacob Duffy Strikes Early, Abhishek Sharma Falls Cheap
By CricShots - Mar 28, 2026 8:24 pm
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Sunrisers Hyderabad’s campaign in the IPL 2026 opener got off to a shaky start, with Abhishek Sharma failing to make an impact once again. The left-hander managed just seven runs off eight deliveries before being dismissed inside the powerplay, continuing a worrying run of inconsistency. The early breakthrough came courtesy of debutant Jacob Duffy, who justified his selection for Royal Challengers Bengaluru after being picked up for his base price of ₹2 crore in the IPL 2026 auction.

Abhishek Sharma
Abhishek Sharma falls early

The New Zealand pacer made an immediate impression, striking with discipline and control to put SRH under pressure. Jacob Duffy didn’t stop with just one wicket. He went on to remove dangerous opener Travis Head and the promising Nitish Kumar Reddy, reducing Sunrisers Hyderabad to a precarious position inside the first five overs. His ability to extract movement and maintain tight lines proved crucial in dismantling SRH’s top order early in the innings.

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However, from an Indian cricketing perspective, the spotlight remained firmly on Abhishek Sharma’s continued struggles. His recent performances in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 had already raised concerns. Despite a half-century in the final, his overall campaign was marked by inconsistency, with multiple low scores against teams like Pakistan, USA, and South Africa.

Unfortunately for SRH, those issues seem to have carried into the IPL. In the opener, Abhishek’s dismissal came via a mistimed pull shot that resulted in a top edge, comfortably taken by wicketkeeper Jitesh Sharma. It was a soft dismissal that once again highlighted technical flaws under pressure.

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Unsurprisingly, reactions from fans on social media were swift and critical. Many pointed out recurring weaknesses in his game, suggesting the young opener needs to reassess his approach and work on shot selection if he hopes to deliver consistently at the highest level.

As IPL 2026 progresses, all eyes will be on Abhishek Sharma to see if he can bounce back and justify his reputation as one of India’s most exciting young talents.

 

 

 

 

 

Tags Abhishek Sharmabatting collapseIPL 2026Jacob DuffyNetizens reactionRCB vs SRH