Ahmedabad: In a high-stakes Super 8 clash of the T20 World Cup 2026, India’s young opener Abhishek Sharma once again fell short of expectations, managing just 15 runs off 12 balls against South Africa.
This marks his fourth dismissal in merely 20 balls across the tournament, highlighting a worrying slump for the explosive batsman.
Sharma opened his account only on the ninth delivery he faced in the competition, briefly showing promise with a couple of boundaries before perishing while attempting a big shot, which left India in early trouble. His total tally stands at a mere 15 runs, following three consecutive ducks in prior matches against teams like the USA. This failure contributed to India’s batting woes, as the team struggled to post a competitive total, ultimately paying the price in a tense encounter.
Former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar, analysing Sharma’s form, remarked, “Abhishek is the world’s No. 1 T20 batter, but he’s struggling badly here. He needs to rediscover his rhythm quickly.”
South African wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock offered a balanced view ahead of the game: “Abhishek is young, and failure is part of the game, but he’s bound to bounce back.”
India’s bowling coach, Morne Morkel, addressed speculation about dropping Sharma, stating, “We’re backing him for now, but form is key in such tournaments.”
Despite the setback, Sharma’s potential remains undisputed, with fans hoping for a turnaround in upcoming fixtures. India’s campaign is in jeopardy as they strive to regain momentum.