Abhishek Sharma’s struggles at the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 continued on February 18 as the left-hander registered his third duck of the tournament during India’s final Group A clash against the Netherlands at the Narendra Modi Stadium. Opening the batting after India chose to set a target, Abhishek was undone in the very first over by off-spinner Aryan Dutt.
The dismissal also marked his fifth duck in T20Is this calendar year, equalling an unwanted Indian record previously held by Sanju Samson for most ducks in a year in the format. In this World Cup alone, Abhishek has faced eight deliveries across appearances and is yet to get off the mark — a worrying stat for a top-order batter in a high-stakes ICC event.
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Dutt set him up cleverly. The first delivery was flat and angled into the left-hander at close to 96 kph, forcing Abhishek onto the back foot and into a cautious push towards cover. The next ball followed a similar line but with a touch more pace, again cramping him for room. Having created doubt, Dutt then fired one through more quickly and more fully than expected. Anticipating width, Abhishek shaped for a pull, only for the ball to skid on and crash into the stumps.
This lean patch adds to a stop-start tournament for the young opener. He was dismissed by Ali Khan in India’s opener against the United States at Wankhede. A stomach bug then ruled him out of the Namibia fixture. On his return against Pakistan, he fell attempting an ambitious lofted drive off Salman Ali Agha.
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Despite the setbacks, Abhishek’s broader 2026 numbers still reflect potential — 182 runs in eight T20Is at an average of 26, including a fluent 84 against New Zealand in Nagpur earlier this year.
With India set to face South Africa in their Super 8 opener in Ahmedabad, the 23-year-old will be desperate to reset. ICC tournaments often hinge on one defining knock — and for Abhishek Sharma, that opportunity may be just one innings away.
Nobody would have imagined Abhishek Sharma not having even a single run to his name at the end of the league stage and at the beginning of Super 8 this World Cup #IndvsNed #ICCMensT20WorldCup
— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) February 18, 2026
Question:
A duck has two ducks in front of it.
A duck has two ducks behind it.
A duck has a duck in front and a duck behind.
How many ducks are there?Answer: Abhishek Sharma.
— Ramesh Srivats (@rameshsrivats) February 18, 2026
I still believe in Abhishek Sharma despite his three consecutive ducks in the group stage ❤️🩹
People calling him a “blind slogger” are the same people who loved him when he played unbelievably on UAE’s slow wickets 🤷♂️pic.twitter.com/4cyaAYqMMm
— 𝐕♛ (@DelhiKaKing18) February 18, 2026
What Mohammad Amir said was completely right 💯
Abhishek Sharma is a pure slogger, nothing else.
He just swings the bat if it’s his day, he scores big; otherwise, he completely fails.— v. Jatin (@JatinTweets_) February 18, 2026
A Comeback in Super 8, Abhishek Sharma 🤞 pic.twitter.com/EEKjCEVauY
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) February 18, 2026
Sport for you. Abhishek Sharma will feel the self doubt. This is the time for the management to back him. Huge next game for him against SA. 3 ducks. He is being tested. @RevSportzGlobal
— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) February 18, 2026
Abhishek Sharma didn’t score runs, but one knock is all it takes. Maybe he’s just saving the fireworks for the Super 8. All he needs is that one 40(18) type innings and suddenly the confidence and timing, everything comes back. Big games build big players. Let’s not write him off… pic.twitter.com/j9bBJM7ScT
— Vipin Tiwari (@Vipintiwari952) February 18, 2026
Abhishek Sharma in this T20 WC pic.twitter.com/KhamlxuolE
— Out Of Context Cricket (@GemsOfCricket) February 18, 2026
Abhishek Sharma is trying to open his account with a boundary in all his innings. Could think of taking a single and play out the first over. Play out 10 balls and then he will be dangerous. He is a match winner and I do not think the management will be too worried about 3 ducks
— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) February 18, 2026
