Indian opener Abhishek Sharma's difficult run with the bat continued in the third T20I against Zimbabwe in Harare as the left-hander managed just eight runs before being dismissed by Blessing Muzarabani. After scores of 1 and 8 in the first two matches, he failed to make an impact once again. He has accumulated only 17 runs in the series, making his form one of the few concerns for India despite their impressive performances.

The 25-year-old, who has earned a reputation as one of the most destructive T20 batters, has struggled to get going at the top of the order. His inability to convert starts has left fans disappointed, especially with India continuing to dominate the series in almost every other department.

Unsurprisingly, Abhishek's latest dismissal sparked a flood of reactions on X. A section of fans pointed out that the opener has now failed in six consecutive T20I innings, questioning how much longer the team management should continue to back him despite the repeated low scores.  

Social media questions Abhishek Sharma's place in India's T20I side

Many supporters also compared his situation with Sanju Samson's, arguing that it was unfair for Samson to lose his place while Abhishek continues to receive opportunities despite his lean patch. Others were even harsher in their assessment, describing Abhishek as "just a slogger" rather than a complete batter. Several users questioned his technique against quality pace and bounce, suggesting he struggles whenever bowlers deny him room to free his arms during the powerplay.

Some fans even claimed that if this run continues, Abhishek could find it difficult to cement a place in India's strongest T20 XI for major tournaments, with intense competition for batting spots. However, not all reactions were critical. Many urged patience, reminding others that attacking openers often endure lean patches before rediscovering their rhythm and that Abhishek has already shown his match-winning ability at the international level.

With every low score, the debate surrounding Abhishek's place in India's T20 setup continues to grow. This has been a series to forget for Abhishek Sharma as his form with the bat has been poor. It will be interesting to see if he manages to retain his place in the side once Sanju Samson returns.