Abhishek Sharma’s Gamble Backfires: Indian Opener Falls to Matt Henry, Enters Unwanted Record List

India’s explosive opener Abhishek Sharma, who has been in sensational form throughout the T20I series against New Zealand, endured a rare and disappointing moment in the fourth match at the ACA–VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam. The left-hander was dismissed on the very first ball of India’s innings, registering a golden duck and finding himself on an unwanted list in Indian T20I history.

Chasing a massive target of 216, Abhishek attempted an aggressive stroke off the opening delivery bowled by Matt Henry. However, his attacking intent proved costly as he mistimed the shot and handed a simple catch to Devon Conway. The dismissal not only jolted India early but also marked a personal low point for the in-form batter.

With this dismissal, Abhishek Sharma became the fifth Indian player to be out on the first ball of a T20I innings. Previously, KL Rahul (vs Zimbabwe, Harare 2016), Prithvi Shaw (vs Sri Lanka, Colombo 2021), Rohit Sharma (vs West Indies, Basseterre 2022), and Sanju Samson (vs New Zealand, Guwahati 2026) had suffered similar fates. Abhishek’s name has now been added to this unfortunate list.

The golden duck came as a surprise, especially considering Abhishek’s outstanding form in the series. In the opening T20I, he smashed a breathtaking 84 off just 35 balls at a strike rate of 240, hammering five fours and eight sixes. He followed it up with another stunning performance in the third T20I, scoring an unbeaten 68 off 20 balls at a remarkable strike rate of 340, which included seven fours and five sixes.

Despite his failure in the fourth match, Abhishek’s performances earlier in the series underline his immense potential and aggressive mindset at the top of the order. While his bold approach did not pay off in Visakhapatnam, it remains a key part of India’s attacking strategy in the shortest format.

New Zealand, meanwhile, capitalised on India’s early setback and went on to secure a comprehensive 50-run victory, their first win of the series, after posting 215 for 7 in their allotted 20 overs. Tim Seifert starred with the bat, scoring 62 off 36 deliveries, as India’s winning streak came to an end.