IND vs ZIM: Abhishek Sharma Creates Unwanted Record on Debut, Joins Dhoni, Rahul & Shaw in Unfortunate List

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Abhishek Sharma had a debut to forget as the opener registered a 4-ball duck in his first innings for India in the first T20I against Zimbabwe at the Harare Sports Club in Harare on Saturday (July 6).

Sharma came into the match on a reputation for taking the attack to the bowlers inside the powerplay with some big-hitting. But his international debut started on a disappointing note, falling in the very first over.

The 23-year-old Sharma, who earned his first call up to the senior team on the back of a terrific IPL 2024, was sent back into the dugout after a shaky start forced him to attack spinner Brian Bennet only to hole out to Wellington Masakadza at deep mid-wicket.

Chasing a paltry 116, Sharma opened the batting with his Punjab teammate and skipper Shubman Gill, but his stay at the crease lasted just four balls as he joined the likes of Mahendra Singh Dhoni, KL Rahul and Prithvi Shaw in an unwanted list.

Indians scoring duck on T20I debut

• MS Dhoni vs South Africa in 2006
• KL Rahul vs Zimbabwe in 2016
• Prithvi Shaw vs Sri Lanka in 2021
• Abhishek Sharma vs Zimbabwe in 2024

Abhishek Sharma was one of three players who made their debut for India in the match as Riyan Parag earned his first international cap, and Dhruv Jurel was handed his first T20I appearance.

While Abhishek walked without troubling the scorers, Parag too didn't have a debut to remember as he departed for just 2 off 3 balls, leaving India at a spot of bother at 22/3 in 4.4 overs. Before Parag, Ruturaj Gaikwad was dismissed for 7.

Rinku Singh, who many felt deserved to be part of the recent T20 World Cup-winning squad, also didn't do his backers any favours as he departed for a 2-ball duck. India were 28/4 at the end of 7 overs with Gill and another debutant Jurel at the crease.

Earlier, Ravi Bishnoi (4 for 13) and Washington Sundar (2 for 11) bamboozled Zimbabwe batters and restricted the home side to 115/9 in 20 overs. Mukesh Kumar and Avesh Khan also chipped in with a wicket each.