Explanation: Did Abhishek Sharma violate ICC rules by wearing Mohammed Siraj’s jersey? | Read
T20 World Cup 2026 In India And Netherlands The match between India and India at the Narendra Modi Stadium was being considered a normal league-stage match. But, it turned into one of the strangest moments of the tournament.
When India’s in-form openers Abhishek Sharma When he came to bat, fans immediately noticed something unusual — he was not wearing his jersey. The left-handed batsman, who is ranked No. 1 in T20Is, was seen in jersey number ’73’ — which the fast bowler Mohammad Siraj Is connected to.
This moment immediately caused confusion. Did Abhishek violate ICC rules? Was India in trouble? There was a flood of questions on social media even before the first boundary was hit.
Why did Abhishek Sharma wear Mohammed Siraj’s jersey?
As it turned out, the explanation was much less dramatic than the online stir. Abhishek reportedly left his kit bag — which also contained his registered match jersey — at the team hotel.
India won the toss and elected to bat, so there was no time to bring up forgotten items. To avoid delaying the match and risking disciplinary action, the opener tried to find a solution. He first wore a teammate’s spare shirt, then eventually decided on Siraj’s jersey — which was available, as Siraj was not part of the playing XI for that match.
commentators Sunil Gavaskar And Nasir Hussain clarified the situation between broadcasts, confirming that it was a logistical mistake and not an intentional act.
Did Abhishek violate ICC rules?
Short answer: no.
Although the ICC maintains strict guidelines for clothing and identification during global tournaments, there is room for flexibility in exceptional circumstances. Abhishek’s case falls in that category.
1. Emergency Exception
ICC clothing and equipment rules provide match referees with discretionary powers in unexpected circumstances, such as damaged or lost kit. Since it was an accidental miss, officials treated it as an emergency swap.
2. Uniform Compliance
Although the names and numbers on the back did not match the players, the jersey itself was an official India team shirt with proper tournament branding and sponsor logos. Therefore the professional image of the match was not disrupted.
3. Official approval
The important thing is that the team management informed the match officials before Abhishek went to the field. After getting his nod to avoid delaying the game, no code violations occurred and no penalties were imposed.
Similar incidents have occurred in the past, where players have sometimes borrowed jerseys due to travel or logistical errors, without facing any penalty.
Abhishek’s poor form continues in T20 World Cup 2026
If Jersey’s drama creates curiosity, Abhishek’s performance deepens the story. Unfortunately, this borrowed jersey could not change his fortunes. He was dismissed in three balls by Netherlands spinner Aryan Dutt.
This dismissal was an unwanted milestone. This was his third consecutive duck in the 2026 T20 World Cup — against the US, Pakistan, and now the Netherlands — making him the first Indian batsman to register a ‘hat-trick’ of ducks in the same T20 World Cup edition.
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