Mohammad Amir Issues Stern Warning to India's Abhishek Sharma After Third Consecutive Duck
Veteran Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Amir has delivered a pointed warning to Indian opening batter Abhishek Sharma following the player's challenging start to the T20 World Cup 2026. Abhishek has recorded three consecutive ducks in the tournament's initial matches, sparking significant concern and analysis from cricket experts and former players alike.
Abhishek Sharma's Struggling Start in T20 World Cup 2026
In India's final Group A encounter against the Netherlands on Wednesday, Abhishek Sharma's difficulties continued as he was dismissed on just the third ball of the first over. Facing Dutch bowler Aryan Dutt, Sharma attempted a pull shot but was beaten by the pace as the ball skidded through and crashed into the stumps. This marked his third duck in as many matches, with the batter having faced only eight deliveries across all three innings.
With this unfortunate performance, Abhishek Sharma has equaled the record for most ducks by an Indian batter in T20 World Cup history, joining former fast bowler Ashish Nehra. The overall record is held by Pakistan's Shahid Afridi and Sri Lanka's Tillakaratne Dilshan, each with five ducks in tournament play.
Mohammad Amir's Critical Analysis and Warning
Speaking on the Pakistani television program Game on hai, Mohammad Amir drew direct comparisons between Abhishek Sharma's current struggles and those experienced by Pakistan opener Saim Ayub during his early Pakistan Super League campaigns. Amir emphasized that young batters face immediate testing from quality bowlers who quickly identify technical weaknesses.
"Saim faced identical challenges when he first entered the PSL several years ago," Amir explained. "As a newcomer, he was attempting no-look shots with apparent success initially. Opponents struggled to identify his vulnerabilities because most of his scoring shots came on the leg side. However, once bowlers began targeting the third or fourth stump line, he encountered significant decision-making difficulties. Even in his most recent matches, he has been dismissed while playing on the off side. Without substantial improvement in his off-side game, genuine progress remains impossible. High-caliber bowlers consistently probe weaknesses and force batters beyond their comfort zones."
Amir specifically addressed Abhishek Sharma's situation, stating: "The same principles apply to Abhishek. He appears to want every delivery in his preferred hitting zone so he can attack aggressively. However, at elite international levels, particularly in pressure situations like World Cup matches or ODI cricket, you cannot simply slog every ball. Bowlers like Salman Agha and Aryan Dutt have exposed him in similar fashion. International cricket ruthlessly reveals limitations."
Broader Implications for India's Tournament Campaign
India's team management and supporters will be hoping Abhishek Sharma can overcome this poor form and regain his batting rhythm ahead of the crucial Super 8 stage of the T20 World Cup 2026. The opening batter's struggles come at a sensitive time, particularly following India's high-profile clash against Pakistan last Sunday in Colombo, where Amir had previously labeled Abhishek a "slogger" before the match.
The technical analysis provided by Mohammad Amir highlights the intense scrutiny young international cricketers face, especially during global tournaments. As India prepares for the knockout stages, Abhishek Sharma's ability to address these identified weaknesses could prove pivotal to his team's success in the remainder of the competition.
