Abhishek Sharma and South Africa - (Source: X.com)The group stage is over, and all eyes are on the Super 8 round beginning on Saturday, February 21. India are placed in group A alongside South Africa, West Indies, and Zimbabwe. The Men in Blue will kickstart their campaign on Sunday, February 22, against the Proteas at the Narendra Modi Stadium. Eyes will be on Abhishek Sharma, who is yet to open his account.The southpaw is under immense pressure as the 25-year-old has scored three straight ducks. Abhishek started the tournament with a golden duck against the USA. Also Read- T20 World Cup Betting Racket Busted In India, Police Get InvolvedThings turned worse for him as he was ruled out Namibia game because of an upset stomach. Abhishek Sharma returned for the Pakistan match, where Salman Ali Agha got rid of him in the first over of the game for a duck. It opened a Pandora's box, because the opposition took note from Pakistan. The Netherlands too opened the game with a spinner - Aryan Dutt, who rattled Abhishek’s furniture in the first over, resulting in another duck. Aiden Markram rolls arm in the nets to Albie MorkelNow, in the latest events, as expected, South Africa are also preparing to exploit Abhishek Sharma’s spin woes by giving the first over to Aiden Markram. The Proteas lack a quality right-arm spinner, which is why Markram is toiling hard in the nets and as per reports, the Proteas skipper bowled to Albie Morkel in the nets to tackle Abhishek threat.“South Africa nets are underway, and not surprised to see Aiden Markram rolling his arm over. He is bowling to left-hander, member of the coaching staff but not sure who. Looks like Albie Morkel. He has bowled only two overs in the WC, but will bowl a lot more vs India for sure,” tweeted Sahil Malhotra from Times of India.Talking about Markram, he is yet to pick a wicket and has gone for 29 runs in his two overs. However, the Proteas will still take a chance and place him against Abhishek Sharma in the first over. Meanwhile, the southpaw can use this opportunity to get runs off his bat as Markram is the weakest of all the spinners he has faced so far.Abhishek Sharma With 5 Ducks In Last 7 InningsWith the embarrassing feat, Abhishek scripted several unwanted records. Sharma has five ducks in his last seven T20I innings. Notably, all these ducks have come in 2026, making him join Sanju Samson for most ducks in a calendar year. Here is the complete list.Most Ducks for India in a Calendar Year in T20I5 - Sanju Samson (2024)5 - Abhishek Sharma (2026)*3 - Yusuf Pathan (2009)3 - Rohit Sharma (2022) 3 - Suryakumar Yadav (2025)If Abhishek Sharma scores his sixth duck of the year, then he would go past Sanju Samson for most ducks for India in a calendar year.Also Read- Why Babar Azam And Mohammad Rizwan Are Not Part Of The Hundred 2026 Auction
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