Abhishek Sharma Sets New T20I Batting Rating Record After Stellar 2025-26 Performances
From a three-and-a-half-year-old in Amritsar to India's top-ranked T20I batter, Abhishek Sharma now holds the highest ICC rating after a series of explosive innings.
Abhishek Sharma first picked up a bat at three-and-a-half in Amritsar, later excelling in Punjab's age-group competitions with over 1,200 runs and 57 wickets in the 2015-16 Vijay Merchant Trophy. After leading Punjab to the Under-19 Asia Cup title and contributing to India's 2018 Under-19 World Cup triumph, he entered the IPL with Delhi Daredevils in 2018. Guidance from Yuvraj Singh during the Covid lockdown helped shape his aggressive style, leading to a T20I debut in July 2024.
A 135-run innings against England in 2025 and a dominant performance in the Asia Cup, where he amassed 314 runs at a strike rate of 200, lifted him to the highest ever ICC T20I batting rating. He continued his power hitting in the IPL, scoring 141 for Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2025, and played a key role in India's 2026 T20 World Cup victory, including a quickfire 52 in the final.
Why it matters
Sharma's record highlights the rise of a new generation of power hitters reshaping international T20 cricket.
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