India opener Abhishek Sharma joined an unwanted list of batters to register three consecutive ducks in T20 World Cup history after being clean bowled by Netherlands off-spinner Aryan Dutt for a three-ball zero.
Becoming the first batter ever to score three ducks in his first three T20 World Cup innings, while equalling Ashish Nehra’s record for most ducks by an Indian in T20 World Cup history, and sparking serious concerns about his place in the playing XI as India head into the Super 8s stage.
Facing just three deliveries, the world’s No. 1-ranked T20I batter attempted a wild swipe across the line to a skidding back-of-length delivery from Dutt that crashed into his leg stump.
Abhishek remains scoreless in the tournament across three appearances, having previously recorded a golden duck (0 off 1 ball) against USA and a four-ball duck against Pakistan.
Batters With Three Consecutive Ducks in T20 World Cup History
- Abhishek Sharma (India) – 2026
- Ashish Nehra (India) – spanning multiple editions
- Shahid Afridi (Pakistan) – part of his five total ducks
- Tillakaratne Dilshan (Sri Lanka) – part of his five total ducks
Unwanted Records Pile Up for Explosive Opener
Abhishek now shares an unfortunate distinction as only the second Indian batter to record three consecutive ducks in T20 Internationals, joining Washington Sundar (2019-20). His dismissal marked his fifth duck in T20Is during 2026, tying him for the most ducks by an opener in a single calendar year alongside Pakistan’s Saim Ayub (2025), Nepal’s Kushal Bhurtel (2024), and others.
Despite flashes of brilliance in 2026, including knocks of 84 and a blistering 68 off 20 balls against New Zealand, inconsistency has plagued the Punjab left-hander. He has scored 182 runs across eight T20I innings this year, but five have ended in ducks, raising serious questions about his aggressive approach in high-pressure situations.
