AHMEDABAD: India’s opening woes in the T20 World Cup have reached crisis levels, with the top-order duo managing a paltry 34 runs across five matches. The latest flop came against South Africa at Narendra Modi Stadium, where fans watched in dismay as the innings crumbled before it even began.
Chasing a challenging 188, Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan strode out to open. Disaster struck immediately. Ishan, the wicketkeeper-batter, fell for a golden duck after facing just four balls. Abhishek scratched around for 15 runs before departing, leaving India at 15/1 in the powerplay.
This isn’t an isolated incident. In the tournament opener against USA, the pair added only 8 runs. Abhishek ducked out for zero, setting a tone of fragility. Against Namibia, with Abhishek sidelined by illness, Ishan paired with Sanju Samson. Ishan fired 61, but Samson holed out for 22 off 8 balls, the stand worth just 25.
The Pakistan clash saw Abhishek return, but the partnership folded at 1 run. Ishan exploded for 77 off 40, yet Abhishek’s duck persisted. Versus Netherlands, it was zero again for the openers combined—Abhishek out for naught, Ishan 18.
These repeated failures have captains and coaches scrambling. As India defends its title on home soil, the opening slot demands urgent surgery. Can Abhishek and Ishan step up, or will selectors wield the axe? The road to glory hinges on this fix.