IND vs NED – The cricket world watched in absolute silence as Abhishek Sharma trudged back to the pavilion against the Netherlands in Ahmedabad. This marks his third duck in a row during the T20 World Cup 2026. This strange Duck-Trident streak has shocked everyone at the tournament.
The Abhishek Sharma Duck-Trident: 3 Reasons Why India’s X-Factor Is Failing
Abhishek Sharma started the competition as the world’s top T20I batter, holding a record-breaking rating of 931 points. While his career strike rate of 193.29 once made him look unstoppable, things have changed quickly. He has five ducks in this calendar year alone. Now, analysts and fans are wondering how a player this good can’t even get off the mark lately.
1. High-Risk Intent Overstaying Its Welcome
Abhishek Sharma plays with a simple, aggressive mindset. He tries to hit boundaries from the very first ball. This brave style helped him smash a 135 against England back in 2025. The problem is that other teams have figured him out.
For example, Abhishek Sharma attempted to clear the infield before he even got a feel for the pitch. This led to his golden duck against the USA and a four-ball failure against Pakistan. He is so focused on attacking right away that he ignores how the new ball is moving, which leaves his stumps wide open against steady opening bowlers.
2. Lingering Physical Aftermath and Rhythm
Health issues have clearly messed with Abhishek Sharma’s flow. This came at the worst possible time during a World Cup. A bad stomach infection kept him out of the Namibia game. When he came back for the big match against Pakistan, he looked tired and lacked his usual quick reflexes.
It is hard to recover from being sick while playing in a huge tournament, as it ruins the sharp focus he needs for his style of play. He depends a lot on his eyes and fast hands. Because of that, even a small drop in fitness leads to the late reactions and mistimed shots we are seeing now.
3. Tactical Targeting by Spin and Pace
Other teams have found specific flaws in his game and are using these to stop him before he gets going. Aryan Dutt, the Dutch off-spinner, attacked his weakness against tight spin early on.
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Earlier, Pakistan used Salman Ali Agha to trick him with a slow ball. Because Sharma commits to his shots so early, bowlers can easily fool him by changing their speed. They are also focused on blocking his favourite scoring spots on the offside.
