Team India opener Abhishek Sharma was expected to the Men in Blue’s X-factor in the T20 World Cup 2026. He had been in terrific form with the willow in the build-up to the ICC event. Expectations were so high from the southpaw that a number of critics had backed him to finish as the leading run-getter into the tournament. However, the script that has played out has been a completely opposite one.

After four innings in the T20 World Cup 2026, Abhishek has scored 15 runs at a paltry average of 3.75 and a strike rate of 75. He has struck two fours and a six in the ICC event so far. The left-handed batter began the T20 World Cup with three successive ducks. In India’s first Super 8 match against South Africa, he got off the mark, but ended up being dismissed for 15 off 12 balls.

Abhishek will be desperate to find form in India’s second Super 8 match against Zimbabwe at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Thursday, February 26. Ahead of the game, we look at five lower order batters who have scored more runs than the Indian opener in the T20 World Cup 2026 so far.

#1 Brad Evans (Zimbabwe) – 43 runs

Zimbabwe fast bowler and lower order batter got a chance to bat in the T20 World Cup 2026 for the first time in the Group 1 Super 8 match against the West Indies at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Even as Zimbabwe crumbled in a chase of 255, Evans gave a good account of himself, smashing 43 off just 21 balls. Coming into bat at No. 8, Evans slammed two fours and five sixes.

The Zimbabwe batter was looking good for a half-century when he was caught at short third man off Matthew Forde’s bowling. Evans was the last man out as Zimbabwe were bowled out for 147 in 17.4 overs. In his T20I career, the 28-year-old has played 29 matches and has scored 131 runs at a strike rate of 119.09.

#2 Sompal Kami (Nepal) – 26 runs

Nepal’s right-arm pacer Sompal Kami scored an unbeaten 26 runs off 15 balls in the T20 World Cup 2026 Group C match against the West Indies at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Sent into bat, Nepal were held to 133-8. Coming into bat at No. 8, he struck four fours in a handy cameo.

Kami (30) has the experience of 88 T20I matches. In 52 innings, he has scored 391 runs at an average of 11.50 and a strike rate of 114.32, with a best of 40.

#3 Noah Croes (Netherlands) – 25 runs

Netherlands’ Noah Croes featured in the T20 World Cup 2026 Group A match against India at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. This was the same match in which Abhishek was cleaned up for a three-ball duck by off-spinner Aryan Dutt. India recovered to post 193-6 in their 20 overs.

In the chase, Netherlands responded with a commendable 176-7. There were handy contributions all round. Coming in at No. 8, Croes hammered an unbeaten 25 off 12 balls. His knock featured five fours. Croes has played 21 T20Is in which he has scored 228 runs at an average of 22.80 and a strike rate of 131.79.

#4 Nadeem Khan (Oman) – 22 runs

Oman left-arm spinner Nadeem Khan played three matches in the T20 World Cup 2026, scoring 22 runs at an average of 7.33 and a strike rate of 95.65. Nadeem’s best of 20 came off 18 balls against Zimbabwe in Colombo (SSC) in a Group B match. Batting at No. 9, he struck one four and one six.

Nadeem was dismissed for two against Sri Lanka in Pallekele and registered a duck in the game against Ireland in Colombo (SSC). In 11 T20Is matches (eight innings), the 24-year-old has scored 84 runs at a an average of 16.80 and a strike rate of 123.52, with a best of 30*.

# 5 Oliver Davidson (Scotland) – 21 runs

Scotland’s bowling all-rounder Oliver Davidson played four matches in the T20 World Cup 2026, making his T20I debut during the tournament. In four matches (three innings), the left-arm spinner scored 21 runs at a strike rate of 123.52. Davidson’s best of 20* came off 15 balls against England in Kolkata. Batting at No. 9, he struck two fours and a six in his cameo.