New Delhi: Abhishek Sharma’s dreadful run with the bat continued in Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)’s clash against Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the Indian Premier
League (IPL) 2026. The explosive left-hander was dismissed on a Golden Duck by RR pacer Jofra Archer on the very first ball of the game to create an unwanted record. Abhishek now has the most ducks by an Indian in a calendar year in T20s.
Abhishek was expected to lead the charge for SRH in the battle between the tournament’s two most exciting opening pairs. However, he failed to get going and was sent packing without even managing to open his account. The left-hander was caught by Ravi Bishnoi at third man after trying to go after a short ball from Archer.
It was Abhishek’s seventh duck in T20 cricket in 2026, highlighting his struggles. The SRH star left behind Rohit Sharma and Sanju Samson to create the embarrassing record for most ducks by an Indian in a calendar year in T20 cricket. He became the first Indian batter to bag seven ducks in a calendar year in T20 cricket.
Most ducks by an Indian in a calendar year in T20s:
7 – Abhishek Sharma (2026*)
6 – Rohit Sharma (2018)
6 – Sanju Samson (2024)
Abhishek Sharma’s poor run in 2026
This was Abhishek’s second duck in the ongoing IPL 2026 after he was dismissed without managing to open his account in SRH’s clash against the Lucknow Super Giants earlier this season. The left-hander, who endured a difficult campaign for India in the T20 World Cup 2026, recorded three ducks in a row in the tournament.
He was dismissed on ducks three games in a row in the group stage of the tournament, becoming the first batter to start a T20 World Cup with three ducks. He did manage to find his form as the tournament progressed, but the explosive batter never looked at his free-flowing best. His struggles have continued for SRH in the IPL 2026, where he has struggled for consistency.
Abhishek has so far scored 129 runs in five innings for SRH in IPL 2026 at a dismal average of 25.80 and a strike rate of 215, including a solitary half-century. His struggles coupled with his opening partner Travis Head’s low returns have compounded SRH’s problems in IPL 2026.
