Abhishek Sharma entered the 17th Asia Cup with an already burgeoning reputation, and he certainly left an even stronger impression as a dynamic match-winner. On Sunday, September 28, 2025, the 25-year-old opener concluded the tournament as its leading run-scorer, amassing 314 runs in seven matches at an impressive average of 44.85 and a blistering strike rate of exactly 200. This stellar performance rightfully earned him the Player of the Tournament award, following India’s thrilling five-wicket victory over Pakistan in the final.
While the left-hander was unfortunately dismissed cheaply in the final, attempting a big shot against Faheem Ashraf, this single instance does not diminish his exceptional form throughout the earlier stages of the competition. Having been brought into the T20I squad due to his flamboyant performances for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League, it’s a testament to the powerful all-rounder from Punjab that he has consistently displayed his natural flair on such a grand stage. Notably, in the two prior India-Pakistan encounters leading up to the final, Abhishek’s rapid-fire innings showed no signs of buckling under the pressure of such a high-stakes rivalry.
“Since joining the team, I haven’t approached any match feeling the pressure,” Abhishek told reporters during the post-final press conference, seated alongside captain Suryakumar Yadav. “We prepared for every game with the same mindset. Suryakumar and coach Gautam Gambhir have instilled immense confidence in me. When you commit to a high-risk game, occasional failures are inevitable. However, the unwavering support they’ve provided has allowed me to play freely. Receiving such backing from the team is crucial. We’ve always aimed to play this aggressive, intent-driven brand of cricket right from the start. We will continue to play this way, regardless of the opponent.”