4th T20I Turns Nightmare as Abhishek Sharma Enters Unwanted Record List

Abhishek Sharma is known for creating records in the T20 format. While the majority of them have been positive, one has come out in a negative way for the Indian batsman. And what makes it worse is that only two players in the history of the game have achieved it before Abhishek.

New Zealand has finally been able to make a comeback in the T20I series against India. And it was all possible due to the team's bowling line-up, which took wickets early and gave them the upper hand. In the previous three games the team batted well, but the Indian batsmen had done far better than them.

But in the fourth T20I, the tables had turned. India was unable to chase the massive target set by New Zealand, and Abhishek Sharma also got out on a duck. This was not just another duck for the ICC Number one ranked batsman, it made him a part of the unwanted record which has only been achieved by two other players.

1. Abhishek Joins Unwanted Record List

In the 4th T20I, New Zealand gave a massive target to the Indian team. Fans had high expectations from Abhishek Sharma, as he goes down the ground against the bowlers on the very first ball he faces. But unfortunately, it was not Abhishek's day, it was the day of New Zealand's bowling line-up.

Matt Henry started the bowling for New Zealand, and he took the wicket of Abhishek Sharma on the very first ball. Devon Conway took a fine catch at the third man, and this made an unwanted record for the Indian opener. With his wicket in this game, he has already recorded two ducks in the 4 innings he has played so far.

He has now become the third player to have scored 2 50+ scores and 2 ducks in the same series. Only two players have achieved this record before Abhishek, and one of them is an active Indian batsman. These players are Mohammed Rizwan, the Pakistani wicket-keeper, and Sanju Samson, the Indian wicket-keeper.

Abhishek Sharma started the series on a high note, scoring 84 runs in the first match. But in the second game, he got out for a duck. He was able to make a comeback in the third match, scoring 68 runs off 20 balls and remaining not out. But in the fourth game, he got out for a duck yet again.

Let's look how the series of Sanju Samson and Mohammed Rizwan went, when they achieved this record.

2. Sanju Samson: India vs South Africa, 2024

During the India tour of South Africa 2024, it was time for Sanju Samson to shine. It was a four match T20I series, and India came out on top. Sanju Samson scored 107 runs off 50 balls in the first match, and also won the POTM award. But in the second game, he was dismissed for a duck and India lost by 3 wickets.

Pic Source: ESPNcricinfo

In the third match also Sanju Samson was unable to shine for the team. He received a two ball duck, being dismissed by Marco Jansen. But in the final game of the series, he went on to score 109 runs off 56 balls. So, for Sanju Samson, it was either nothing or a triple digit score in this series. Despite the two ducks, Sanju also finished as the second highest run scorer of the series.

3. Mohammed Rizwan: Pakistan vs South Africa, 2021

Pakistan and South Africa went against each other in a four match T20I series back in 2021. This series was hosted by South Africa, and it was also the time when Rizwan decided to become the first player in this list. The series started off well for Pakistan and Rizwan, as he scored 74 runs off 50 balls and Pakistan won the game by 4 wickets.

Pic Source: ESPNcricinfo

But in the second match, Rizwan got dismissed for a Golden Duck by George Linde. Pakistan lost this game, which put the series level. In the third match however, Rizwan was able to regain his form and take Pakistan to the win. He scored 73 runs off 47 balls, and even had an impressive 197-run opening stand with Babar Azam.

Later in the fourth and also the most important game of the series, Rizwan failed to shine. He got dismissed in the very first over, being stumped by Heinrich Klaasen over a delivery against Bjorn Fortuin. Unwantedly, Mohammed Rizwan started this record list and now it is having the names of two finest Indian batsmen.