Picture Credit : BCCI/ACC
Abhishek Sharma arrived at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 riding a wave of red-hot form, widely tipped to be one of India’s breakout performers. In the weeks leading up to the tournament, the young opener looked unstoppable, stacking up Man of the Match and Man of the Series awards with fearless strokeplay and remarkable consistency. But cricket, as it often does, has thrown him an unexpected curveball on the biggest stage.
Sharma’s campaign began disastrously against the United States at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, where he fell for a golden duck, dismissed off the very first ball he faced. It was a shocking start for a batter known for his aggressive intent and ability to dominate powerplays.
His second scheduled appearance against Namibia at Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi never materialised, as illness ruled him out of the match entirely. While that gave him time to recover physically, it also meant he missed a chance to regain rhythm and confidence in the middle.
When he returned for the high-voltage clash against Pakistan in Colombo, fans hoped for redemption. Instead, he endured another setback, departing for a four-ball duck. Any lingering hopes of a turnaround were dashed in the following fixture against the Netherlands at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, where he again failed to score.
Four matches into his maiden ICC event, Sharma is yet to open his account — a statistic that starkly contrasts with his pre-tournament dominance. Fortunately for the side, Ishan Kishan has stepped up with back-to-back half-centuries, ensuring the team still gets solid starts at the top. His form has softened the impact of Sharma’s lean run, preventing early pressure from derailing innings.
Still, the spotlight remains firmly on the struggling opener. Big tournaments often test temperament as much as technique, and Sharma now faces a defining phase of his young international career. One solid knock could instantly flip the narrative, restoring belief and momentum. Until then, his runless streak stands as one of the tournament’s most surprising storylines — proof that even the most in-form players can find the World Cup spotlight unforgiving.
