Indian opener Abhishek Sharma is currently captivating the cricket world, standing on the precipice of shattering multiple T20 International records held by some of the sport’s biggest names: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Mohammed Rizwan. This incredible feat looms as India prepares to face arch-rivals Pakistan in the highly anticipated Asia Cup final in Dubai this Sunday.
Sharma had already turned heads before the tournament, showcasing his explosive batting prowess in the Indian Premier League, where he formed a formidable opening partnership with Travis Head for Sunrisers Hyderabad. His exceptional form has only intensified during the Asia Cup.
In the ongoing tournament, Abhishek has amassed an impressive 309 runs across six matches, boasting an average of 51.50 and a blistering strike rate of 204.63. A true standout during the Super Four stage, he has notched up three consecutive half-centuries, with his highest individual score reaching 75.
He now needs just 11 more runs to eclipse Virat Kohli’s record for the most runs by an Indian player in a single multi-nation T20I tournament. Kohli’s benchmark of 319 runs, achieved with four fifties at an astounding average of 106.33 during the 2014 T20 World Cup, also earned him the Player of the Tournament award.
Furthermore, Sharma is only 23 runs away from surpassing Phil Salt’s impressive record of 331 runs, which currently stands as the most runs by a player from a Test-playing nation in a T20I tournament (set in five T20Is against West Indies in 2023, including two centuries).
Adding to his growing list of achievements, Abhishek has equaled the record for seven consecutive scores of 30 or more, a feat previously shared by Rohit Sharma and Mohammed Rizwan. Another such innings would see him establish a new, undisputed record.
His T20I performance throughout the current year has been nothing short of spectacular, with 588 runs scored in just 11 matches at an average of 53.45 and an incredible strike rate of 211.51. This tally includes one century and four half-centuries.
Looking at his overall T20I career, Abhishek has accumulated 844 runs from 23 matches, maintaining an average of 38.36 and a strike rate of 197.65. His career highlights feature two centuries and five fifties, with his personal best standing at 135 runs. As he steps onto the field for the Asia Cup final, all eyes will be on this young talent, eager to witness history in the making.