Abhishek Sharma's fifth golden duck of 2026: India opener ties unwanted T20I record
Another first-ball duck for Abhishek Sharma sees India opener equal unwanted T20I record
Fireworks were expected when left-handed opener Abhishek Sharma walked out alongside Sanju Samson against Japan at the Sano International Cricket Ground on Tuesday. But Abhishek's stay at the crease lasted just one ball — a golden duck that extended an increasingly unwanted streak.
Golden duck in rain-hit clash with Japan
India captain Shreyas Iyer won the toss and opted to bat in the rain-hit five-over-a-side contest. Samson faced five balls and scored a single before giving the strike to Abhishek. Japan immediately made the breakthrough as Charlie Hara-Hinze dismissed Abhishek for a golden duck.
Hara-Hinze bowled one on leg stump and Abhishek crouched low to try and help the ball along. However, he only managed a top edge, with Shoma Sugaya-Slater running back to complete a good catch. Abhishek was dismissed for 0 off 1, leaving India at seven runs with the big wicket of their explosive opener.
The unwanted record
The dismissal was Abhishek's fifth first-ball duck in T20Is in 2026, putting him level with Rwanda's Kevin Irakoze (2023) and Richard Ngarava (2024) for the most first-ball ducks by a batter in a calendar year in men's T20Is. His five first-ball ducks this year have come against New Zealand, USA, Ireland, New Zealand and Japan.
Abhishek has also registered 10 ducks in T20 cricket in 2026, the most by a batter in a calendar year. Rashid Khan had nine ducks in 2019, while Shadab Khan also recorded nine in 2024. The India opener is also among the batters with the most ducks in a calendar year in T20Is, with seven such dismissals in 2026.
Most ducks in a calendar year
- Most ducks in a calendar year in T20Is — seven each: Zappy Bimenyimana (2023), Orchide Tuyisenge (2023), Saim Ayub (2025), Abhishek Sharma (2026)
- Most ducks in a calendar year in T20s — 10: Abhishek Sharma (2026); nine: Rashid Khan (2019), Shadab Khan (2024)
For an opener renowned for his explosiveness at the top of the order, the recurring golden duck has become a peculiar footnote to an otherwise dazzling run of form in 2026.