Team India star Abhishek Sharma failed to open his account yet again, being dismissed for another duck against the Netherlands in the T20 World Cup 2026. The Men in Blue won by 17 runs and remained unbeaten heading into the Super 8s.
While the team has been doing well, Abhishek’s form seems to be a matter of some concern heading into the next stage of the tournament. He was sent back for a third consecutive duck against the Dutch, perishing in the very first over of the match.
In three matches, the left-hander has managed to play just eight balls overall. The Men in Blue will be hoping for him to come good in the Super 8s and regain his touch.
On that note, let us take a look at the top five expert reactions to Abhishek Sharma’s third consecutive duck in the T20 World Cup 2026.
#5 Virender Sehwag
Former India opener Virender Sehwag stated that he had been in the same position as Abhishek Sharma is in. He reflected that making a comeback would not be as difficult and that the star batter must work on his shot selection. Sehwag also advised Abhishek to play some balls before looking to go big.
“It was a ball to be hit but he missed it. I have been in his shoes, making 2-3 zeroes, but making a comeback is not that difficult because it is just about the mindset. It is about shot selection, which is where he is making a mistake. The expectations from him are to score right away, and he may make a mistake. But he should play some balls while he is not scoring runs, try to play some balls,” he said on Cricbuzz.
#4 Sunil Gavaskar
Former captain and legend Sunil Gavaskar opined that the pressure of expectations seems to be getting the better of Abhishek at the moment. Like Virender Sehwag, Gavaskar also pointed out that the left-hander must look to spend time in the middle and not force himself to go for the big hits right away.
“Abhishek Sharma is a lovely guy, but expectations seem to be weighing on him. If he had started well against USA, it would have been different. Now, the pressure of being the big six-hitter and top batter is showing. With his shot range, he needs to spend time in the middle. He cannot try to hit a boundary or six on the first ball of his innings. If the big shots come, fine. But he shouldn’t force himself to play the big shots across the line,” he said on JioStar.
“Take a single and get off the mark. Even four dot balls don’t matter. He can make up for them later. He needs to play smart at the start. Spend an over or two settling in, then play his natural game. First, just get off the mark. Every batter wants that first run. Once he gets it, everything will fall into place,” he added.
#3 Irfan Pathan
Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan highlighted that teams planned and prepared specifically against Abhishek Sharma for a global event. He also pointed out a pattern in his dismissals in the last two matches, getting out to off-spinners.
“This is not a bilateral series, this is the World Cup. Opposition teams plan specifically for you. In the first match, there was no clear pattern to his dismissal. But in the last two matches, a pattern has emerged. Off-spinners have bowled at the stumps, almost targeting the leg stump line, not giving him any room, and keeping the mid-on fielder inside the circle. Against Pakistan, he was dismissed by a part-time off-spinner. Then against Aryan Dutt, he was bowled in the very first over while playing across the line against off-spin,” he said on his YouTube channel.
#2 Ravichandran Ashwin
Legendary spinner Ravichandran Ashwin also made a similar point as that of Irfan Pathan, highlighting a visible pattern. He reckoned that Abhishek Sharma getting out to off-spinners is becoming a trend and that the bowlers are bowling tight lines and closer to his body.
“Abhishek clears his front foot and tries to swing. So an off-spinner bowling has become a trend now. When we played RR vs SRH as well, I bowled 3 consecutive overs and did not go for many. He had to get out but narrowly escaped. It is becoming a trend. They are trying to bowl tight lines. Because it is closer, it is not in his range. There is space to open his hands, but he has to come around it, but by the time he does, the ball has already gone through,” he said on ‘Ash ki Baat‘.
However, Ashwin also added that Abhishek Sharma came into the tournament having scored runs and would not be dropped from the team at this point.
#1 Kris Srikkanth
Former captain and World Cup winner Kris Srikkanth made a blunt assessment, stating that Abhishek Sharma looked desperate. Like the others, he also reckoned that the opener needed to make certain adjustments and take a few balls when he has not been scoring any runs.
“The No.1 T20 batter in the world can’t score a run now. The way he got out in this match was a sign of desperation. This is where Abhishek Sharma also has to make his adjustment. Ishan Kishan takes a few balls to settle down before exploding. That time Abhishek Sharma has to take. This dismissal he slogged and got out,” he said on his YouTube channel.
“When you’ve scored ducks in the first two games, take time for two balls atleast. There is nothing wrong in getting your eye in. There must be something wrong with you if you are getting out for ducks. You only have to assess it yourselves and take a few balls. If I were him, I’ll realize luck is not on my side so I’ll look to play straight for four deliveries and not across the line,” he added.
Edited by Rishab Vm
