The India-Pakistan T20 World Cup 2026 blockbuster at Colombo’s R. Premadasa Stadium started with a bang – but not the kind Indian fans wanted. Abhishek Sharma, the explosive opener everyone was excited to see, walked back for a four-ball duck in the very first over.
That early dismissal has put the spotlight firmly on Abhishek Sharma and his recent rough patch. Let’s break down what happened, why it happened, and what it means for Team India moving forward.
The Shocking Dismissal: Captain’s Clever Move
Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha pulled off a surprise no one saw coming. He took the new ball himself instead of giving it to Shaheen Afridi or any other pacer. The gamble worked like a dream.
In the first over, Agha sent down a quick, skidding delivery that hurried into the middle stump. Abhishek Sharma, famous for his “see ball, hit ball” style, tried to pull it hard. But he was rushed, got a top edge, and the ball went straight up. Shaheen Shah Afridi ran in from mid-on and took a simple catch. Just like that, Abhishek Sharma was gone for 0.
Abhishek Sharma’s Recent Numbers: A Clear Slump
This duck isn’t a one-off. Abhishek Sharma has been in feast-or-famine mode lately. Look at his last six T20I innings:
| Innings | Score (Balls) | Opponent & Context |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 (1) | vs South Africa (Nov 2025) |
| 2 | 68 (20)* | vs New Zealand (Jan 2026) |
| 3 | 0 (1) | vs New Zealand (Jan 2026) |
| 4 | 30 (16) | vs New Zealand (Jan 2026) |
| 5 | 0 (1) | vs USA (T20 WC Opener) |
| 6 | 0 (4) | vs Pakistan (Today) |
Four ducks in six innings – that’s tough reading for such a talented player.
Why Is Abhishek Sharma Struggling Right Now?
Three big reasons stand out:
- Health IssuesAbhishek Sharma wasn’t fully fit coming into this game. He missed the Namibia match after a bad stomach infection and dehydration that sent him to hospital in New Delhi. He lost weight during recovery and joined the team in Sri Lanka only days before facing Pakistan. Playing high-pressure cricket right after that clearly hurt his sharpness and timing.
- High-Risk Playing StyleAbhishek Sharma is built to attack from ball one. His job is to go big in the powerplay, just like he did in the IPL and earlier this year when he became the fastest to 5,000 T20 runs (beating Chris Gayle’s record). When it clicks, he explodes (like that 68* off 20 against NZ). When it doesn’t, he often gets out cheaply trying to dominate early.
- Surprise Tactic from Pakistan Facing a captain bowling spin in the first over of an India-Pakistan match? That’s rare. Salman Agha’s skidding delivery was totally “out of syllabus” for Abhishek Sharma. He expected raw pace from Shaheen, not this clever variation.
What’s Next for Abhishek Sharma?
Captain Suryakumar Yadav and coach Gautam Gambhir have full faith in Abhishek Sharma’s aggressive mindset. They want him to keep attacking. But with the Super 8s coming up fast, Abhishek Sharma will need to find a bit more balance – stay explosive but also give himself a chance to settle when things go wrong early.
This early duck stings, but Abhishek Sharma is still young and full of talent. One good knock can change everything. Indian fans are hoping he bounces back soon.
What do you think – should Abhishek Sharma keep going all-out, or play a touch safer at the top? Share your views below – let’s talk about this rollercoaster form
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