Indian opener
The breakthrough for Japan came courtesy of Charlie Hara-Hinze, who targeted the leg stump. Sharma attempted to flick the delivery but could only manage a top edge, allowing Shoma Sugaya-Slater to retreat and secure the catch. The dismissal left India at seven runs, marking a premature end to the opener's time at the crease.
A Record-Equalling Statistical Milestone
This dismissal marked Sharma’s fifth first-ball duck in T20 Internationals during the 2026 calendar year. With this result, he has equalled the record for the most golden ducks by a batter in a single year in men's T20I history, joining Rwanda’s Kevin Irakoze, who achieved the feat in 2023, and Richard Ngarava, who did so in 2024. Throughout 2026, Sharma has recorded first-ball dismissals against New Zealand, the USA, Ireland, New Zealand, and now Japan.
Broader Struggles in the T20 Format
Beyond the T20I record, Sharma has faced significant challenges across the broader T20 landscape this year. He has now registered 10 ducks in T20 cricket throughout 2026, setting a new mark for the most ducks by a batter in a single calendar year. This surpasses the previous record of nine, which was shared by Rashid Khan in 2019 and Shadab Khan in 2024.
Furthermore, Sharma’s total of seven ducks in T20 Internationals during 2026 places him among the players with the highest number of dismissals for zero in a calendar year in the format. He currently shares this statistic with Zappy Bimenyimana, Orchide Tuyisenge, and Saim Ayub, all of whom recorded seven ducks in their respective record-setting years.
