‘Duck God’ Abhishek Sharma rescued by Sunil Gavaskar as World No.1 batter hits rock bottom

Young batter Abhishek Sharma added another unwanted milestone to his career after a three-ball duck against the Netherlands in the T20 World Cup 2026 Group A match. The World No. 1 T20I batter equalled his teammate Sanju Samson’s record for the joint-most ducks in a calendar year for India in T20Is.

Abhishek was dismissed for a duck against the Netherlands on Wednesday, February 18, in Ahmedabad. The left-handed opener was bowled by off-spinner Aryan Dutt on the third ball of India’s innings. It is worth noting that this dismissal was Sharma’s third duck in a row in the ongoing T20 World Cup.

He suffered similar failures against the United States of America (USA) and Pakistan in earlier Group A matches. The Indian batter is yet to score a run in the tournament.

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Abhishek Sharma Equals Sanju Samson on Unwanted List After Fifth Duck in 2026

Abhishek Sharma recorded his fifth duck in T20Is in 2026. He joined the list of openers with the most zeroes in a single calendar year in the shortest format. Only Saim Ayub is above him on this unwanted list, with six ducks recorded in 2025.

Sharma has the second-highest number of ducks by an opener in a calendar year. Chaloemwong Chatphaisan of Thailand (2024), Kushal Bhurtel of Nepal (2024), Dharma Kesuma of Indonesia (2025), and Parvez Hossain Emon of Bangladesh (2025) also registered five ducks.

The 25-year-old has played just eight matches this year. He has also equalled Sanju Samson for the most ducks by an Indian in a calendar year. Samson recorded five ducks in 2024.

Abhishek Sharma Has to Give Himself a Little More Time - Sunil Gavaskar

Speaking on Star Sports, former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar said that Abhishek Sharma needs to spend more time at the crease. He stated that expectations as a big hitter and the No. 1 T20I batter are pushing Abhishek to attack too early.

"Maybe the expectations might be weighing just a little too heavily on him. He is a lovely guy. If he had got a flying start in the first game, things might have been different. But now, you can sense that the expectations of being the big guy, the six-hitter, the No. 1 batter in the team, might be weighing heavily on him," Gavaskar said on Star Sports.

"I think with the range of shots he has, he has to give himself a little more time in the middle. Not be looking to open his innings with a boundary or a six. If he gets it, then fine - but looking to play across the line for the big shot, no. Even if there are four dot balls, it does not matter because in the next four to eight balls he can make up for that."

Abhishek Sharma Has to Play Smart Cricket - Sunil Gavaskar

Sunil Gavaskar advised Abhishek Sharma to drop the pressure of strike-rate labels and play smart cricket. He stated that taking singles, getting off the mark, and reading the pitch will help Abhishek settle, after which the big runs will come on their own.

"He has to play smart cricket. He has to get the circulation in his legs. He has to get off the mark. If you are playing for India, you have to get off the mark and everything will fall in place. The way he is getting out is very predictable."

"The mindset is such that, 'I am being seen as somebody who hits at a 200 strike-rate, I have to live up to that.' You don't have to. It's just natural - when you take a couple of singles, you get a sense of the pitch. He will get a big score once he gets set," Gavaskar said.

Also read: Ishan Kishan challenges Abhishek Sharma as he breaks into Top 10 of ICC T20I Batting Rankings