Abhishek Sharma Cricket Journey: How Abhishek Sharma Became T20 Cricket’s Most Destructive Opener

Abhishek Sharma cricket journey has moved at rare speed. In little more than a year at the international level, the 25-year-old opener has changed how teams view power batting in T20 cricket. With clean striking and clear intent, Abhishek Sharma has become one of the most feared batters in the shortest format.

In 2025, Abhishek Sharma reached the top of the ICC T20 batting rankings. He scored a record 931 rating points, the highest ever in the format. That same year, he became the first Indian to hit 100 sixes in T20 internationals in a calendar year. His career strike rate also became the highest in T20I history.

Early Signs of Talent

Abhishek Sharma grew up in Punjab in a cricket-focused home. His father, Rajkumar Sharma, played first-class cricket and coached young players. During an under-14 camp in Mohali, two senior coaches made a bold prediction. They believed two boys from the group would play for India. One was Shubman Gill. The other was Abhishek.

At the time, the players were children. The claim sounded premature. Yet both names would later justify that belief.

Finding His Format

While Gill rose through Tests and ODIs, Abhishek took time to find his space. He played age-group cricket, one-day matches, and four-day games for Punjab and North Zone. The foundation formed there helped his overall game.

T20 cricket, though, became his natural format. His ability to hit the ball cleanly and clear boundaries set him apart. He did not rely on muscle alone. Timing and bat speed defined his stroke play.

Numbers That Set Him Apart

The Abhishek Sharma T20 record stands out even among elite players. In 2025, he scored 859 T20I runs and 1,602 T20 runs overall. Only Virat Kohli has scored more in a calendar year for India.

What separates Sharma is how he scores. His strike rate crossed 200 in 2025. He became the only batter to score over 1,000 runs in a year at a strike rate above 190 on two occasions. His career T20I strike rate now stands near 189, the highest in the format.

For Abhishek, hitting sixes is a choice, not a risk. When advised to keep the ball on the ground, his response stayed simple. If the ball can clear the boundary, he sees no reason to limit himself.

The Covid Phase That Changed Everything

A key phase in the Abhishek Sharma cricket journey came during the Covid shutdown. With competitions paused, he trained with Yuvraj Singh, one of India’s greatest power hitters.

Those sessions focused on shot selection, angles, and reading fast bowlers. Facing bowlers who operate above 140 kmph requires clarity and calm. Learning this from someone with deep international experience helped Sharma mature.

Former India bowler Bhupinder Singh has said this phase gave Sharma confidence. Training under Yuvraj helped him understand what works at the highest level.

Match-Winning Performances

Sharma’s intent showed early in his international career. In his second T20I in 2024, he scored a century off 61 balls. In February 2025, against England in Mumbai, he struck 135 from 54 balls.

These innings were not reckless. They followed a clear plan. He picked lengths early and backed his strengths.

In the IPL, Sunrisers Hyderabad gave him a steady role at the top. Opening with Travis Head, he learned to attack from the first over. He also worked under coaches like Brian Lara and Muttiah Muralitharan.

This environment sharpened his decision-making. It also helped him balance freedom with structure.

More Than a Power Hitter

Despite his T20 success, Sharma’s background covers longer formats. He has played one-day and four-day cricket at the domestic level. Coaches note that his technique allows adaptation if required.

For now, his role remains clear. Attack early. Shift momentum. Force bowlers to change plans.

Looking Ahead

The Abhishek Sharma biography now reflects dominance in T20 cricket. Rankings, strike rates, and records support that status. Yet his focus stays narrow. Improve consistency. Read conditions faster. Keep the process clear.

At 25, his career has entered its peak phase. If his current path continues, Abhishek Sharma will not just redefine Indian T20 batting. He will shape how the format is played.


FAQs

Q1. Who is Abhishek Sharma?
Abhishek Sharma is an Indian cricketer known for his explosive batting in T20 cricket.

Q2. What is Abhishek Sharma’s age?
Abhishek Sharma is 25 years old.

Q3. What records has Abhishek Sharma set in T20 cricket?
He became ICC’s No.1 T20 batter in 2025, hit 100 sixes in a year, and holds the highest T20I career strike rate.

Q4. Who influenced Abhishek Sharma’s power-hitting style?
Training with Yuvraj Singh during the Covid shutdown played a major role in shaping his game.

Sakshi Singh

Sakshi Singh is a dedicated writer at Arise Times, with a passion for covering the worlds of influencers, startups, technology, and inspiring biographies. Known for her engaging storytelling and in-depth research, Sneha brings fresh perspectives on the people and ideas shaping today’s digital landscape. Her articles aim to inform, inspire, and connect readers with the latest trends and success stories from around the world.

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