Indian opener Abhishek Sharma has been a huge asset for the national side ever since Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli retired from T20 internationals (T20Is). The left-handed batter has continued with his exceptional batting style in the ongoing 5-match T20I series against New Zealand.
In 4 innings, Abhishek amassed 152 runs at an average of 50.67 and a strike rate of 266.67, including two half-centuries. Currently, he is the third leading run-scorer in the series after Suryakumar Yadav (179 runs) and Glenn Phillips (169 runs).
The southpaw’s destructive batting style is reminiscent of his mentor and former Indian all-rounder Yuvraj Singh.
Since his T20I debut in July 2024, the 25-year-old has been shattering multiple records. Before finding out Abhishek’s ability to surpass Yuvraj’s record, let’s take a look at his impressive T20I records.
1. Fastest Batter to Reach 1,000 T20I Runs
In terms of balls faced, Abhishek Sharma currently ranks as the fastest batter to accumulate 1,000+ runs in T20I cricket.
The left-handed batter achieved this feat during the abandoned 5th T20I match of the series against Australia in Brisbane. Earlier, Tim David was the record holder, having reached his 1,000-run mark for Australia in 569 balls.
Among the Indian batters, Suryakumar was the only one to accomplish this record in fewer than 600 balls.
So far, Abhishek scored 1,267 runs in 37 T20Is, which includes two tons and eight fifties at an average of 37.26 and a strike rate of 162.93.
2. Highest Individual Score in T20I Without a Dot Ball
Abhishek Sharma unleashed his destructive batting style during the 3rd T20I against New Zealand in Guwahati.
He amassed 68 runs off 20 balls (including 7 fours and 5 sixes) at a strike rate of 340. Interestingly, he scored the most runs in a single T20I inning without playing any dot balls.
Earlier, Tanzania’s batter Kassim Nassoro held this record, having scored an unbeaten 59-run knock off 19 balls (including 6 fours and 3 sixes) at a strike rate of 310.52.
3. Top Most ICC Rating Points in T20I History
With 929 rating points in ICC Men’s T20I Rankings, Abhishek Sharma holds the record of achieving the highest rating ever in the history of T20I cricket.
Previously, the elite list was led by England’s former batter Dawid Malan (919 points), current Indian and former skipper Suryakumar Yadav (912 points), and Virat Kohli (909 points) respectively.
Abhishek is one of those few talented batters who amassed 900+ rating points in their T20I career.
4. Highest Individual T20I Score By Any Indian
Back in February 2025, Abhishek Sharma amassed 135 runs off 54 balls (including 7 fours and 13 sixes) against England at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
The opening batter surpassed the tally of Shubman Gill (126 runs), Ruturaj Gaikwad (123 runs), Virat Kohli (122 runs), and Rohit Sharma (121 runs).
Including Abhishek, only five Indian batters have managed to score 120+ runs in a T20I inning.
5. Indian Batter with Most Sixes in a T20I Inning
Abhishek Sharma secured yet another fascinating record during his 135-run knock against England. Apart from 7 fours, he smashed 13 sixes, which is indeed the most by any Indian batter in a single T20I inning.
Earlier, Rohit Sharma led the charts with 10 sixes in an inning during his 118-run knock against Sri Lanka back in 2017.
In 2024, Tilak Varma (9 sixes) and Sanju Samson (10 sixes) achieved this feat when the duo smashed centuries each in the same inning against South Africa on November 15, 2024.
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Overall Review: Abhishek’s Chances to Surpass Yuvraj Singh’s Record?
During the third T20I against New Zealand, Abhishek Sharma scored a quickfire half-century in just 14 balls, which is indeed the second fastest by any Indian batter after Yuvraj Singh’s 12-ball-fifty in the 2007 T20 World Cup.
During the post-match interview, Abhishek was asked if he could break Yuvraj Singh’s fastest half-century record. Here is what the young spin-bowling all-rounder said speaking about his fabulous innings:
“No! It is beyond the term impossible for any batter to break his (Yuvraj’s) record. At the same time, in an unpredictable sport like cricket, anything can change. Especially, batters have been performing well, and moving forward to score runs is something incredible. So, this gives them a chance to give their best and do miracles.
With batters performing well in this series, I believe that any batter could do it. ” Abhishek said.
Meanwhile, Yuvraj Singh praised Abhishek on his social media post, humorously questioning if his iconic record could be surpassed:
“Excellent! Well played. However, still can’t get to a 12-ball-fifty? Can You? Keep growing strong and All the Best!,” Yuvraj posted on his X handle. With Abhishek’s rising stature in India’s T20 squad, many believe that he could easily surpass Yuvraj’s lifetime milestone in the shortest format of international cricket.
