Marco Jansen grabs a fantastic catch to dismiss Abhishek Sharma in the 1st T20I
Published - 09 Dec 2025, 08:21 PM | Updated - 09 Dec 2025, 08:23 PM
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The India National Cricket Team explosive batsman Abhishek Sharma was unable to set the stage on fire in the T20I series opener against the South Africa National Cricket Team on Tuesday, December 9.
Abhishek Sharma was cleaned up for a low score as the tall pacer Marco Jansen pulled off a stunning catch during the first T20I at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack
Abhishek Sharma falls for 17 against the Proteas
The Punjab left-handed batsman, Abhishek Sharma, is currently ranked at the No.1 position in the ICC Men's T20I Batting Rankings. He has emerged as India's best batsman in T20I cricket in 2025 and is regarded as one of the best in the world.
His back-to-back exceptional performances quickly helped him rise in the ICC Rankings, and he has also become the batter with the highest rating points in T20I history.
On the Australia tour, Abhishek Sharma played some eye-catching knocks but was unable to stamp his authority. It was expected that the left-handed batter would do that during the T20I series opener against South Africa, and unfortunately, it didn't happen.
Abhishek was unable to hit boundaries from the start and was then dismissed by Lutho Sipamla in the 7th over of the innings.
The pacer bowled a length delivery on leg-stump to Abhishek, who shuffled inside the line to smash the ball over fine leg ropes. However, he didn't make a good connection with the ball.
Abhishek hit it towards fine leg, where Marco Jansen came in running and put in a dive to pull off a stunning catch and send the Indian batter packing for 17 runs off 12 balls.
Watch: Marco Jansen ends Abhishek Sharma's innings with a stunner
— Drizzyat12Kennyat8 (@45kennyat7PM) December 9, 2025
He is batting really well anyway - Irfan Pathan hails Abhishek Sharma
Speaking in a video shared on his official YouTube channel ahead of the match, the former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan lavished rich praise on Abhishek for his T20I heroics.
He also expressed his desire to see South African bowlers challenge the Indian batter, which would only help Abhishek grow further and become a better batter.
"The flow with which he is batting, the strike rate with which he is batting like at 190-200, and averages close to 40, you won't find any other batter who is this consistent while playing in this style. South Africa might look to bowl outside off stump, or they might even go for the short ball in the first or the second ball of the innings itself. We have to see how Abhishek Sharma counters this." Irfan Pathan said on his YouTube channel.
"If something is being tried against Abhishek Sharma, that is better, because it will be an opportunity for Abhishek Sharma to counter that and improve. If South Africa try nothing new against him, then also it is fine, let it continue, he is batting really well anyway." Irfan Pathan said.
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Abhishek Sharma Marco Jansen India National Cricket Team South Africa National Cricket Team India vs South AfricaAbout the Author
Sonanchal Gautam is a dedicated sports journalist, content manager, writer, and editor with over 4 y...
