Cricket fans, it’s painful to watch. Abhishek Sharma, the man who entered the T20 World Cup 2026 as the world’s No. 1 T20I batter, is stuck in the worst slump of his career. In today’s final group-stage match against the Netherlands at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, he was dismissed for a 3-ball duck — his third consecutive zero in the tournament.
The “Abhishek Sharma Era” that looked unstoppable just weeks ago has hit a brick wall, and questions are growing louder: Can he turn it around in the Super 8s?
How Abhishek Sharma Fell to Aryan Dutt Again
For the third time in this World Cup, Abhishek Sharma got out to an off-spinner in the powerplay. Aryan Dutt bowled a quick, skidding delivery on middle stump.
Abhishek backed away early to make room, but the ball hurried on and crashed into the stumps. Bowled. The aggressive mindset that made him a superstar is now being used against him.
The Bigger Picture: Physical & Mental Toll
A serious stomach infection in early February landed Abhishek Sharma in hospital in New Delhi. He missed the Namibia game and clearly hasn’t fully recovered.
His footwork looks off, hand-eye coordination isn’t sharp, and he’s trying to force every ball. The pressure of being ranked No. 1 in his first World Cup is showing too — every shot feels like he’s trying to prove something.
Abhishek Sharma’s Last 7 T20I Innings – The Numbers Tell the Story
| Date | Opponent | Score (Balls) | Dismissal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 18, 2026 | Netherlands | 0 (3) | Bowled (Aryan Dutt) |
| Feb 15, 2026 | Pakistan | 0 (4) | Caught (Salman Agha) |
| Feb 7, 2026 | USA | 0 (1) | LBW – Golden Duck |
| Jan 31, 2026 | New Zealand | 30 (16) | Caught |
| Jan 28, 2026 | New Zealand | 0 (1) | Caught Behind |
| Jan 25, 2026 | New Zealand | 68* (20) | Not Out |
| Jan 23, 2026 | New Zealand | 0 (1) | Caught at Point |
In his last seven T20I innings, Abhishek Sharma has scored just 98 runs at an average of 16.33. Five ducks — including three in a row in the World Cup. Yet his strike rate remains sky-high at 213.04 when he connects. It’s truly all or nothing.
What Happens Next for Abhishek Sharma?
Captain Suryakumar Yadav and coach Gautam Gambhir are backing him fully for the Super 8s. The reason is simple: when Abhishek Sharma clicks, he can win games alone — just look at his unbeaten 68 off 20 against New Zealand in January.
But the patience is wearing thin. Sanju Samson and Ruturaj Gaikwad are ready in the wings. One more failure, and the management may have no choice but to drop him.
Right now, Abhishek Sharma needs one big innings to silence the critics and remind everyone why he was No. 1. The Super 8s start soon — can he bounce back? Share your thoughts below: Should India stick with Abhishek Sharma, or is it time for a change? Let’s talk!
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