Abhishek Sharma’s T20 World Cup Struggles Continue In Ahmedabad

India’s T20 World Cup journey hit an unexpected bump on Wednesday as opener Abhishek Sharma endured a third consecutive duck, leaving fans and pundits alike scratching their heads in disbelief at Narendra Modi Stadium. The much-anticipated final group-stage clash against the Netherlands in Ahmedabad was supposed to be a tune-up for the already-qualified Men in Blue, but the spotlight quickly shifted to Abhishek’s ongoing troubles at the crease. Abhishek Sharma, who entered the tournament as the world’s number one T20I batter, has seen his campaign spiral into a nightmare. On February 18, 2026, facing the Netherlands’ off-spinner Aryan Dutt, the left-handed opener was bowled for zero on the third ball of the first over. Dutt, showing no nerves on cricket’s grandest stage, pitched it back of a length on middle and off, the ball skidding in with the angle. Perhaps feeling the pressure of two dot balls and a string of low scores, Abhishek went for an ambitious swipe—only to miss it completely as the ball crashed into his leg stump. The stadium, packed with expectant home fans, fell into stunned silence as their star opener trudged back to the pavilion, head bowed and eyes closed in visible anguish. This wasn’t just any dismissal. It marked Abhishek’s third duck in as many T20 World Cup matches. He’d started his campaign with a golden duck against the USA in Mumbai, falling to Ali Khan’s sharp bowling, and followed it up with another duck against arch-rivals Pakistan, chipping a catch to Shaheen Shah Afridi off Salman Ali Agha in Colombo. Sandwiched between those forgettable outings, Abhishek missed the clash against Namibia due to a stomach infection—a bout that saw Sanju Samson step in and smash a quickfire 22 off 8 balls in New Delhi. What’s more, Abhishek’s attempts to break his run of bad luck have become a talking point in themselves. In a quirky move, he strode to the crease against the Netherlands wearing pacer Mohammed Siraj’s jersey instead of his own, hoping a change of shirt might bring a change in fortune. The previous match against Pakistan saw him donning Arshdeep Singh’s jersey—both times, the original owners were benched. Yet, superstition offered little solace as the runs continued to elude him. “We are going to bat first. It looks like a good surface. We want to put runs on the board and put some pressure on the bowlers to defend the total. The mood in the camp is really good and they are playing the brand of cricket I want them to play. Every game, someone is putting their hand up and that is good to see. We have two changes – Arshdeep comes in for Kuldeep, Axar is resting and Washington comes in,” Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav said at the toss, underlining the team’s confidence and willingness to rotate the squad ahead of the Super Eights. India’s playing XI for this match featured Ishan Kishan (w), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah, and Arshdeep Singh. The Netherlands, meanwhile, fielded Michael Levitt, Max O’Dowd, Bas de Leede, Colin Ackermann, Scott Edwards (w/c), Zach Lion-Cachet, Roelof van der Merwe, Logan van Beek, Aryan Dutt, Kyle Klein, and Noah Croes. The Dutch, eager for an upset, had already made their mark in the tournament with spirited performances, and Aryan Dutt’s early breakthrough set the tone for a competitive contest. Abhishek’s horror run is particularly jarring given his stellar form leading into the tournament. Just five months ago, he topped the Asia Cup scoring charts with 314 runs in seven matches at a blistering strike rate of 200, cementing his reputation as one of cricket’s most explosive young talents. Yet, in this World Cup, he has yet to open his account with the bat—a statistic that has not gone unnoticed by fans or critics. Social media erupted after his third duck, with many questioning his place in the side and others expressing sympathy for the 25-year-old’s plight on such a big stage. India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak, however, struck a note of calm amidst the frenzy. According to AFP, Kotak remarked before the Netherlands game that Abhishek had “a clear plan and clear mindset” and that the team was “not worried about his form,” suggesting the management’s faith in their opener remains intact despite his struggles. It’s not just the lack of runs that’s drawing attention. Abhishek’s repeated jersey swaps—first with Arshdeep Singh and now with Mohammed Siraj—have become fodder for both humor and debate. Is it a harmless superstition, or a sign of mounting pressure? Either way, the young opener’s search for form has taken on a life of its own, with every move and misstep magnified under the World Cup’s bright lights. Meanwhile, the rest of the Indian lineup has been tasked with steadying the ship. After Abhishek’s early exit, the Netherlands continued to apply pressure as Aryan Dutt struck again, dismissing Ishan Kishan and sending another ripple of concern through the Indian camp. Still, India’s depth and experience have seen them through tricky situations before, and with a Super Eight berth already secured, the team’s focus remains on peaking at the right time. Looking ahead, India’s next challenge looms large: a Super Eights showdown with South Africa, set for Sunday, February 22, back at the Narendra Modi Stadium. The Men in Blue will be eager to put the group stage behind them, iron out any wrinkles, and see their star opener rediscover the form that made him the world’s top-ranked T20I batter. For Abhishek Sharma, the Super Eights represent a fresh start—a chance to silence the doubters and remind everyone why he’s considered one of the brightest prospects in the game. As the league stage winds down, questions linger over Abhishek’s place and mindset, but one thing’s certain: the cricketing world will be watching closely when he next takes guard. Will the runs finally flow, or will the pressure continue to mount? The answer, as always, will play out on the field—where reputations are made and unmade in the blink of an eye. For now, the action in Ahmedabad is ongoing, with India looking to close out their group campaign on a high note and Abhishek Sharma hoping that his luck—and his bat—will turn just in time for the business end of the World Cup.