NEW DELHI: 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.India captain Shreyas Iyer won the toss and opted to bat in the rain-hit five-over-a-side clash. 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.
Most ducks in a calendar year in T20Is -seven each by
- Zappy Bimenyimana (2023)
- Orchide Tuyisenge (2023)
- Saim Ayub (2025)
- Abhishek Sharma (2026) *
Most ducks in a calendar year in T20s
- 10 Abhishek Sharma (2026) *
- 9 Rashid Khan (2019)
- 9 Shadab Khan (2024)
Abhishek equals unwanted T20I 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 in T20Is 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.