
Prateek Thakur
abplive|05-02-2026
Abhishek Sharma has emerged as one of the most aggressive batters in modern cricket. Born on September 4, 2000, in Amritsar, the left-handed opener has transitioned from a promising junior captain into the top-ranked T20I batter in the world.
As of early 2026, he remains a vital asset for both the Indian national side and Sunrisers Hyderabad, providing high-scoring starts and useful left-arm orthodox spin.
The Global Stage: After making his international debut against Zimbabwe in July 2024, Abhishek has played 38 T20Is. He currently holds the record for the highest individual score for India in this format, a blistering 135 off 54 balls against England in early 2025.
ICC Rankings: His consistency across 2025 and the start of 2026 pushed him to the Number 1 spot in the ICC Men’s T20I Batting Rankings, achieving one of the highest-ever rating points in the format’s history.
IPL Legacy: A central figure for Sunrisers Hyderabad, he holds the record for the team's fastest fifty, reached in just 16 balls. His partnership with Travis Head in 2024 became a blueprint for aggressive powerplay batting.
Versatility: Beyond his hitting, Abhishek provides tactical depth as a left-arm spinner. This dual role makes him an indispensable part of India’s squad for the 2026 T20 World Cup.
In his 38 T20I matches, Abhishek Sharma has amassed 1,297 runs at an exceptional average of 37.06. His most remarkable statistic is a career strike rate of 194.74, among the highest for any player with over 1,000 runs.
His tally includes two international centuries, one against Zimbabwe and the record-breaking 135 against England, along with eight half-centuries.
His success is rooted in a stellar early career where he led India to the 2016 Youth Asia Cup title and played a pivotal role in the 2018 ICC U-19 World Cup win.
Domestic excellence followed, as he captained Punjab to their first-ever Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy win in the 2023-24 season. By 2026, he has established himself as a player who can take the game away from any opposition within the first six overs.




