The T20 World Cup 2026 conflict between India and the Netherlands on the Narendra Modi Stadium was anticipated to be a routine league-stage fixture. As a substitute, it delivered some of the weird moments of the match.
When India’s in-form opener Abhishek Sharma walked out to bat, followers instantly seen one thing uncommon — he wasn’t carrying his personal jersey. The left-hander, ranked No. 1 in T20Is, appeared in a shirt bearing ’73’ — the quantity related to quick bowler Mohammed Siraj.
The second sparked on the spot confusion. Had Abhishek damaged ICC laws? Was India in hassle? Social media erupted with questions even earlier than the primary boundary was struck.
Why did Abhishek Sharma put on Mohammed Siraj’s jersey?
Because it later emerged, the reason was far much less dramatic than the net frenzy steered. Abhishek had reportedly left his package bag — together with his registered match jerseys — on the group lodge.
With India successful the toss and selecting to bat, there was little time to retrieve the forgotten gear. Relatively than delay the match and threat disciplinary motion, the opener scrambled for an answer. He first tried on a teammate’s spare shirt earlier than ultimately selecting Siraj’s jersey — conveniently accessible, as Siraj was not a part of the taking part in XI for that match.
Commentators Sunil Gavaskar and Nasser Hussain clarified the scenario mid-broadcast, confirming it was a logistical mishap somewhat than a deliberate act.
Did Abhishek break ICC guidelines?
The brief reply: No.
Whereas the ICC maintains strict clothes and identification pointers throughout world tournaments, there may be room for flexibility in distinctive conditions. Abhishek’s case fell beneath that class.
1. Emergency exceptions
ICC Clothes and Gear Laws present match referees with discretionary powers in unexpected circumstances, equivalent to broken or misplaced kits. Since this was an unintentional oversight, officers handled it as an emergency swap.
2. Uniform compliance
Though the identify and quantity on the again didn’t match the participant, the jersey itself was an official India group shirt with correct match branding and sponsor logos. The skilled look of the match was due to this fact not compromised.
3. Official approval
Importantly, group administration knowledgeable match officers earlier than Abhishek took the sphere. With their approval granted to keep away from a delay-of-game situation, there was no breach of conduct and no wonderful imposed.
Related situations have occurred up to now, with gamers often borrowing jerseys resulting from journey or logistical errors with out going through sanctions.
Additionally READ: Sunil Gavaskar reveals how Abhishek Sharma can rediscover his misplaced mojo in T20 World Cup 2026
Abhishek’s poor kind continues in T20 World Cup 2026
If the jersey drama created curiosity, Abhishek’s efficiency deepened the narrative. Sadly, the borrowed shirt didn’t change his fortunes. He was dismissed for a three-ball duck, bowled by Netherlands spinner Aryan Dutt.
The dismissal marked an undesirable milestone. It was his third consecutive duck within the 2026 T20 World Cup — in opposition to USA, Pakistan, and now the Netherlands — making him the primary Indian batter to register a ‘hat-trick’ of geese in a single T20 World Cup version.
Additionally READ: IND vs NED: Followers categorical shock as Abhishek Sharma information third consecutive duck in T20 World Cup 2026
