Abhishek Sharma

India’s cricketing landscape has been enriched by a plethora of emerging talents, thanks to the country’s robust age-group structure and a series of successful campaigns in the Under-19 World Cup. Among the standout contributors to this success is the 2018 Under-19 World Cup victory, which has propelled numerous young players into the limelight. Among them, Prithvi Shaw, Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma, and Arshdeep Singh are some of the players who have made significant strides in Indian cricket.

Abhishek Sharma, a left-handed batting all-rounder, has shown immense promise since his early days. Born in Amritsar, Abhishek began his cricketing journey playing junior cricket for his state. His talent did not go unnoticed, and in 2016, he was appointed captain of India’s Under-19 team for the Asia Cup. Under his leadership, India clinched the title, defeating Sri Lanka in the final.

Abhishek made his debut in first-class and List A cricket in 2017 for Punjab, further showcasing his potential in domestic cricket. His consistent performances for India U-19 and his impressive domestic form were key reasons for his selection in the squad that won the 2018 Under-19 World Cup. Ahead of the 2018 Indian Premier League season, Abhishek was picked up by the Delhi franchise, marking his entry into the IPL.

However, after a solitary season with Delhi, Abhishek was released, which opened up an opportunity for the Hyderabad franchise to acquire his services for the 2019 season. Though his initial years in the IPL were relatively quiet, Hyderabad showed faith in him, and this persistence paid dividends in 2022. Despite Hyderabad’s disappointing 8th-place finish that season, Abhishek stood out as one of the positives for the team. He amassed 426 runs from 14 matches, showcasing his consistency and adaptability, particularly in the pressure-cooker environment of the IPL.

Abhishek had a quiet 2023 IPL season but regained lost ground in the domestic arena. In the 10 innings of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy that season, the southpaw scored 485 runs, playing a key role in Punjab's maiden title-winning campaign. His form continued in 2024, where he was unstoppable in the IPL, forming a ruthless opening pair with Travis Head for Hyderabad. Although the team fell short in the final, Abhishek’s remarkable consistency earned him a call-up to the Indian side for the tour of Zimbabwe.

Abhishek made his international debut during the series opener, where he unfortunately fell for a duck. However, he quickly made a statement in the very next game, scoring a stunning hundred and announcing his arrival on the international stage. Given the giant strides Sharma has taken in T20 cricket, particularly with his consistent performances for Hyderabad in the IPL, it was an easy decision for the franchise to retain him heading into the mega auction for the 2025 season.

Abhishek Sharma enjoyed a phenomenal rise in 2025, rewriting record books with his explosive batting. He smashed 135 off just 54 balls against England, the highest individual score for India in T20Is, and became the first Indian to hit 100 T20I sixes in a calendar year. His dominance continued in the IPL, where he scored 439 runs in 14 matches for Sunrisers Hyderabad, including a record-breaking 141 off 55 balls against Punjab Kings, featuring 14 fours and 10 sixes, the highest score by an Indian in IPL history, guiding SRH to a memorable chase of 246.

He carried that form into the Asia Cup 2025, where he was named Player of the Tournament after piling up 314 runs, the most in a single edition. His domestic performances were equally staggering, as he lit up the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025/26 with 304 runs in six matches at a breathtaking strike rate of 249.18, including a stunning 32-ball century for Punjab against Bengal, where he raced to a half-century in just 12 balls against an attack featuring Mohammed Shami and Akash Deep. His incredible run also saw him become the number one T20I batter in 2025, the youngest Indian to achieve the feat.

Given his rapid growth and match-winning impact, Sunrisers Hyderabad had no hesitation in retaining him for INR 14 crore ahead of the IPL 2026 season. He carried his form into the T20I series against New Zealand, but endured a rare slump during the 2026 T20 World Cup, registering three consecutive ducks. However, he bounced back with a half-century against Zimbabwe before delivering when it mattered most, smashing a 21-ball 52 against New Zealand in the final to help India clinch their third T20 World Cup title.