 "Abhishek Sharma has once again been dismissed by an off-spin bowler in this World Cup. Image: AFP")
Former India wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik pointed out the mistake made by Abhishek Sharma after the young opener was dismissed early during the second semifinal of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 between India and England at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
Abhishek tried to play an aggressive shot against England all-rounder Will Jacks but ended up giving a simple catch to Phil Salt at deep midwicket. The left-handed batter scored 9 runs from 7 balls before getting out, leaving India reeling at 20/1 in the early stages of the match.
The dismissal came in the second over when Will Jacks was brought in by Harry Brook to target Abhishek. The India batter had scored two boundaries before he tried to step down the track and flick the ball in the air. However, it came off the bottom part of the bat and Salt completed an easy catch.
Karthik explains Abhishek’s dismissal
Speaking during live commentary on Star Sports, Dinesh Karthik explained that Abhishek could have chosen a better option after England changed the field to target him. “If you look at the dismissal, they changed the field again. They brought mid-on up, so he could have just committed to going over mid-on. He just flicked it so softly,” Karthik said.
Abhishek has struggled against off-spin bowling in the ongoing tournament. In five innings against off-spinners, he has scored only 29 runs from 27 balls and has been dismissed three times. The left-hander has averaged just 9.66 against off-spin in the competition, with a strike rate of 107.40, making it a clear area of concern for him.
Meanwhile, Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan have since steadied India’s ship, scoring 67/1 in the powerplay. Samson is nearing yet another fifty after guiding India with an unbeaten 97 in the previous do-or-die game.