India managed to avoid humiliation as they narrowly beat Japan by two runs in a rain-shortened five-over match. However, Abhishek Sharma couldn't escape an unwanted record. The Indian opener created a piece of history that he would like to forget or wish hadn't happened on Tuesday.
Sharma became the first batter to register 10 ducks in a single calendar year in T20 cricket. The 26-year-old left-hander was dismissed for a golden duck off the first ball for 0 in India’s one-off T20 International against Japan at the Sano International Cricket Ground. Facing the sixth delivery of the opening over from teenage left-arm spinner Charlie Hara-Hinze, Sharma attempted a sweep, only to top-edge the ball to short fine leg.
Abhishek Sharma creates unwanted record during India vs Japan; becomes player with most….
The dismissal marked Sharma’s 10th score of zero across all T20 matches in 2026, surpassing the previous record of nine held jointly by Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan (2019) and Pakistan’s Shadab Khan (2024). It was also his fifth first-ball duck in T20Is this year, equalling the calendar-year mark in that category.
Meanwhile, in the rain-reduced five-over contest, India struggled to 32 for 4 before defending the total to win by two runs. Sharma’s early departure contributed to a stuttering start for the visitors, though the team ultimately secured victory in the historic fixture. Indian men were able to hold the hosts to 30, with Washington Sundar taking key wickets and Axar Patel defending eight runs in the final over.
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