New Delhi: Dashing Indian opener Abhishek Sharma experienced another failure as the left-hander perished early in the T20 World Cup semifinal against England. After India were put into bat first by England in the crucial clash at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, Abhishek started off well before departing to the pavilion for just 9 runs.
Abhishek and Sanju Samson opened the innings for the Men in Blue with Samson hitting couple of big hits to give the Indian team a fiery start. Abhishek, who was at the other end, opened his account with a single off last ball of the first over bowled by English quick Jofra Archer.
Abhishek Sharma dismissed for 9 in 7 balls. pic.twitter.com/sofaLlz3N4
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) March 5, 2026
Will Jacks dismissed Abhishek early
In the second over bowled by Will Jacks, Abhishek seemed to be promising as he smashed couple of boundaries drawing applause from the crowd at the Wankhede stadium. But just when he was opening up with India on 20 runs, he mistimed a shot which went straight into the hands of the Phil Salt who came running from midwicket boundary to complete the catch.
Trying to attempt an aerial flick, Abhishek aimed at clearing the boundary ropes and jogged down the track but could not succeed in completing a big shot. Abhishek has flopped in the entire tournament apart from one impressive knock where he scored a half-century.
0(1) vs USA
DNB vs Namibia
0(4) vs Pak
0(3) vs NED
15(12) vs SA
55(30) vs ZIM
10(11) vs WI
9(7) vs ENG
At the time of writing this report, India had scored 67/1 in 6 overs with Samson and Ishan Kishan flourishing for the side. While Samson was placed on 41 runs off just 20 balls which included 2 sixes and 6 boundaries, Ishan has scored 16 off just 9 ball as the duo looked promising for the defending champions.
Earlier in the match, an unchanged India were invited to bat first by England, who made a single change to the playing XI.