Abhishek Sharma – India’s Fearless Young Left-Handed Opener
Abhishek Sharma is one of India’s most promising young cricketers. A dynamic left-handed opening batter and a capable left-arm spinner, he made headlines in both domestic and international cricket at a young age. Known for his explosive batting and adaptability, Abhishek has become a key figure in the Indian T20 setup and the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Early Life and Background
Abhishek Sharma was born on 4 September 2000 in Amritsar, Punjab, to Manju Sharma and Raj Kumar Sharma. He is the youngest of three siblings and has two elder sisters, Komal and Sania. He completed his education at Delhi Public School.
Since childhood, Abhishek was deeply involved in cricket and shared a strong bond with fellow cricketer Shubman Gill. Both used to open the innings for Punjab in under-14 matches. During the COVID-19 lockdown, former Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh mentored him, refining his batting technique and approach to the game.
Domestic Career
Abhishek made his mark early by scoring a century in his maiden U-16 match during the 2015–16 Vijay Merchant Trophy. He went on to score 1,200 runs in the tournament at an astounding average of 109.09. He later debuted in the U-19 setup through the Vinoo Mankad Trophy in 2016.
He made his first-class debut for Punjab in the 2017–18 Ranji Trophy on 6 October 2017. Over the years, he has consistently performed in domestic cricket, especially in the white-ball formats.
In the 2023–24 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Abhishek led Punjab to their maiden title. He was the second-highest run-scorer in the tournament with 485 runs in 10 innings at a strike rate of 192.46 and an average of 48.50. He scored two centuries and three half-centuries during the season.
In February 2021, he scored the fastest hundred by an Indian in List A cricket—off just 42 balls—against Madhya Pradesh.
Youth International Career
Abhishek captained the Indian team to victory at the 2016 U19 Asia Cup and was named player of the match in the final. He also led the side during an ODI series against England U19 in 2017. During the 2018 ICC U19 World Cup, he played a vital role in India’s championship win, including a crucial fifty in the quarterfinal against Bangladesh.
IPL and Franchise Career
Abhishek’s IPL journey began in 2018 when he was picked up by Delhi Daredevils for INR 55 lakhs. He made an instant impact by scoring 46 runs off just 19 balls on debut.
In 2022, he was bought by Sunrisers Hyderabad. That season, he scored 426 runs in 14 matches, showcasing his growth as an opening batter. In 2024, he scored the fastest fifty for SRH against Mumbai Indians at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium and ended the season with 484 runs in 16 matches at a strike rate of 200.
He was the second-highest run-scorer for SRH in 2024, just behind Travis Head. His power-hitting ability earned him the “Most Sixes” award that season with 42 sixes.
The 2025 IPL season was a breakout year for Abhishek. He smashed his maiden IPL century in just 40 balls against Punjab Kings. He went on to score 141 runs off 55 balls, which became the highest individual score by an Indian in IPL history. It was also the third-highest individual score overall in the league’s history and the fastest ever by a Sunrisers Hyderabad player.
International Career
Abhishek Sharma made his international debut for India in a T20I against Zimbabwe on 6 July 2024. In just his second match, he announced his arrival with a century at the Harare Sports Club.
He reached new heights in 2025 when he scored 135 off just 54 balls against England at the Wankhede Stadium. The innings included 13 sixes and seven fours, becoming the highest individual score by an Indian in T20 Internationals. It was also the second-fastest T20I century by an Indian player.
Following this explosive performance, Abhishek rose to second place in the ICC Men’s T20I batting rankings, solidifying his position in the Indian squad.
T20I Centuries
| Runs |
Opponent |
Venue |
Date |
Result |
| 100 |
Zimbabwe |
Harare Sports Club |
7 July 2024 |
India won |
| 135 |
England |
Wankhede Stadium |
2 February 2025 |
India won |
Playing Style
Abhishek Sharma is known for his fearless approach as an opening batter. His ability to clear boundaries effortlessly, combined with a strong base against both pace and spin, makes him a valuable asset in limited-overs cricket. As a part-time left-arm spinner, he adds depth to any T20 side. His fielding is also sharp, with excellent reflexes and ground coverage.
Achievements and Records
- Fastest List A century by an Indian (42 balls)
- Most sixes in IPL 2024 (42 sixes)
- Highest individual score by an Indian in IPL (141)
- Second-highest score by an Indian in T20Is (135)
- Second-fastest T20I century for India
- Captain of India’s U19 Asia Cup-winning team in 2016
- Part of India’s U19 World Cup-winning squad in 2018
Abhishek Sharma’s journey from domestic prodigy to international star has been marked by determination, hard work, and explosive performances. Whether it’s his powerful hitting in the IPL or match-winning knocks for Team India, Abhishek has quickly risen through the ranks to become a household name. With age on his side and a fearless mindset, he is undoubtedly a future pillar of Indian cricket.
