In a statistical anomaly that stunned the cricketing world, Indiaof Abhishek Sharma completed the league stage T20 World Cup 2026 without scoring a run. on February 18, 2026 Indiaagainst the last match of the group stage The Netherlands The explosive opener was dismissed for a third consecutive duck in Ahmedabad, giving his maiden World Cup campaign a scary start.
Abhishek Sharma’s Ahmedabad nightmare: Clean bowled by Aryan Dutt for his third straight duck
India’s opening sensation with a dramatic turn of events at the Narendra Modi Stadium on February 18, 2026 Abhishek Sharma He hit a career low with a clean sweep for a 3-ball duck in India’s final group stage match against the Netherlands. Getting to the crease under great scrutiny and even trying to break his “jinx” by wearing down a teammate Muhammad Siraj‘s form, Sharma faced the threat of Dutch spin Aryan Dutt at the very first.
After initially defending the first two deliveries, Abhishek attempted a powerful cross with a shorter, quicker delivery. The ball completely eluded his bat and crashed into the middle and outside stumps, sending the world’s top-ranked batsman back to the pavilion for yet another run. The dismissal marked a historic low for the young left-hander, who became the first player in T20 World Cup history to score three consecutive ducks, and left the Ahmedabad crowd in stunned silence as he walked off the field.
Also READ: T20 World Cup 2026: Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel not playing in today’s IND vs NED match.
World No.1 T20I batsman: Abhishek Sharma’s terrific T20 World Cup 2026 run
Despite enduring the worst statistical start in India’s opening game in World Cup history, Abhishek continues to maintain his position as the World No. 1 T20I batsman with a rating score of 908 in the latest ICC update. His tournament has been a tale of utter disappointment, starting with a golden duck USA While battling a high fever in Mumbai, he later developed a severe stomach infection and required two days of hospitalization in New Delhi.
This health crisis forced him to abandon the opposition Namibiaand although he returned for a high-pressure game against Pakistan In Colombo, he looked a shadow of his former self, miscuing a pull shot at mid-on for a 4-ball duck. With four ducks in his last seven T20I innings, Abhishek’s ‘score bank’ from a dominant 2025 season is the only thing keeping him at the top of the rankings. Ishan Kishi He settled into the playing XI under intense pressure as India progressed to the Super 8s.
Here’s how the fans reacted:
This row is 3! #T20WorldCup #abhishek
This is sometimes a cruel game. Keep your chin up boy☺️
— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) February 18, 2026
No one would have imagined that Abhishek Sharma’s name wouldn’t run out at least once at the end of the league stage of this World Cup and at the start of the Super 8. #IndvsNed #ICCMensT20 World Cup
— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) February 18, 2026
hello @YUVSTRONG12 Paaji,
Abhishek bhaiya ek baar class laga do..we need his form to win this world cup. 🙏😭
Big fan of both of you!
— Hatyogi (@hatyogi31) February 18, 2026
Who would have thought??
0, 0, 0! It’s amazing how times change. This is cricket for you. This is life for you. The good thing about time is that it will change again. Hopefully, Abhishek will shine when India needs him the most in this one #T20WorldCup2026— Shreevats goswami (@shreevats1) February 18, 2026
I started watching the match, abhishek survived two deliveries, I was writing enough balls played by abhishek and boom 💥 He went in the 3rd ball. Go back to IPL buddy 🙏 and change your coach ASAP.
— 🐰 (@firki07) February 18, 2026
Sports for you. Abhishek Sharma will feel self-doubt. It is time for the management to support him. Big next game for him against SA. 3 ducks. It is tested. @RevSportzGlobal
— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) February 18, 2026
Abhishek Sharma tries to open his account with a boundary in all his innings. I might consider picking up the single and playing the first one. Play 10 ball and it will be dangerous. He is a match winner and I don’t think management will be too worried about 3 ducks
— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) February 18, 2026
Are you looking at Abhishek?
— vishal dayama (@VishalDayama) February 18, 2026
A comeback in Super 8, Abhishek Sharma 🤞 pic.twitter.com/EEKjCEVauY
– Jones. (@CricCrazyJohns) February 18, 2026
Abhishek Sharma walks back disappointed as he is dismissed for a duck again🏏#INDvNED #AbhishekSharma #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/DQzjOUwYqy
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) February 18, 2026
