Young talent from Punjab, Abhishek Sharma, is a stylish left-handed batter who is a sensational striker of the ball. Despite his lean physique, Abhishek packs a punch and knows how to hit the ball a long way. Abhishek Sharma, like his mentor Yuvraj Singh, appears to be a complete package with his left-arm spin and is also a brilliant fielder.

At present, Abhishek Sharma is one of the most destructive openers in the shorter formats of the game. Known for his clean striking, Sharma first grabbed attention in the Indian Premier League, playing for the SRH and now winning games for the Indian T20I side.

Abhishek Sharma’s Biography and Early Career

Abhishek Sharma was born on 4 September 2000 in Amritsar, Punjab, to Manju Sharma and Raj Kumar Sharma. He is the youngest of three, with two elder sisters, Komal and Sania.

Abhishek started his cricket career under the guidance of his father, Raj Kumar Sharma, who also played the game and recognised Abhishek’s love and talent. Starting the game at a very young age, motivated by his father’s passion, the youngster secured a spot in Punjab’s youth teams.

Abhishek Sharma’s Domestic Career

Abhishek Sharma first announced himself in the domestic circuit during the 2015–16 Vijay Merchant Trophy, where he finished as the leading run-scorer and the leading wicket-getter with a staggering 1200 runs and 57 wickets, respectively. The performance marked him out as a prodigy, and he followed it up with a sensational U-19 debut, smashing a century for Punjab in the Vinoo Mankad Trophy.

Abhishek also led India in the 2017 Youth ODI series against England, guiding the side to a 3–1 series win before handing over the captaincy duties back to Prithvi Shaw ahead of the World Cup.

His growth continued at the international youth level. In December 2016, Abhishek captained India to victory in the U-19 Youth Asia Cup and also finished as the tournament’s third-highest wicket-taker, underlining his value as a genuine all-rounder. Two years later, he was part of India’s triumphant U-19 World Cup 2018 squad under Prithvi Shaw. 

Playing all matches, Abhishek Sharma’s defining moment came in the quarter-final against Bangladesh, where he struck a crucial half-century and consistently troubled batters with his left-arm spin throughout the tournament.

After returning from the U-19 World Cup, Sharma transitioned smoothly into senior domestic cricket. He featured in the Vijay Hazare Trophy for Punjab and made his Ranji Trophy debut just before the World Cup, scoring an impressive 94 against Himachal Pradesh, an innings that showcased his temperament for longer formats as well.

Punjab’s Abhishek Sharma in 2021 etched his name into the record books during a Vijay Hazare Trophy clash against Madhya Pradesh, smashing a sensational 42-ball century, the then-second-fastest List A hundred by an Indian.

Abhishek Sharma’s IPL Career

Abhishek Sharma’s IPL journey began in 2018 when Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) acquired him for INR 55 lakhs. He made an immediate impact, smashing a whirlwind 46 off just 19 balls against Royal Challengers Bangalore on debut. Although opportunities were limited later in the season, his potential was evident.

In 2019, he moved to Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), where he eventually unlocked the best version of his T20 game. Heading into IPL 2021, Abhishek was in sublime domestic form, having cracked his maiden T20 century in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2020–21 to help Punjab thrash Railways by 117 runs. However, a lower-order role in the IPL restricted his impact, as he managed just 98 runs in seven innings.

The turning point came in 2022, when SRH promoted him to open the innings. Abhishek took the opportunity with both hands, scoring 426 runs in 14 matches. While 2023 saw a dip in numbers, 226 runs in 11 innings, his intent and attacking approach remained intact.

Leading into IPL 2024, Abhishek rediscovered his mojo. He dominated the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2023, hammering 485 runs in 10 innings at a strike-rate of 192.46 as Punjab lifted the title. Carrying that form into the IPL, he formed a devastating opening partnership with Australian hard-hitter Travis Head, playing a key role in Sunrisers Hyderabad’s run to the final. Abhishek finished the season with 484 runs in 16 matches, performances that earned him a maiden India call-up.

Ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction, SRH retained Sharma for INR 14 crore, a testament to his growing stature. After a slow start to the season, Abhishek produced one of the greatest IPL knocks of all time against Punjab Kings, smashing a historic 141 off just 55 balls to help SRH chase down a mammoth 246 in just 18.3 overs.

Abhishek Sharma’s International Career

Abhishek Sharma announced his arrival in international cricket during India’s tour of Zimbabwe in July 2024. After a duck in his debut game, he bounced back, blasting a stunning 100 off just 46 balls in the second T20I at Harare.

His rise continued in January 2025 during the first T20I against England at Eden Gardens. Chasing 133 after early setbacks, Abhishek played a breathtaking knock of 79 off 34 balls, dismantling England’s bowling attack with five fours and eight sixes to seal a seven-wicket victory for India.

For his continuous performance in the shortest format of the game for India, Sharma was named in the high-octane Asia Cup 2025 squad. Abhishek Sharma had a phenomenal run in the continental tournament, becoming the leading run-scorer with 314 runs in seven matches at a strike rate of 200, earning him the Player of the Tournament award and a Haval H9 SUV and cash prize.

He led India to victory, scoring key runs in the final against Pakistan and showcasing his aggressive, high-strike-rate batting style throughout the tournament, cementing his status as a top T20 batsman.

By the end of 2025, the Punjab batter created history by becoming the fastest player to score 1000 T20I runs in terms of balls faced, reaching the milestone in just 528 deliveries during the 2025 Australia series. On top of that, Abhishek broke Suryakumar Yadav’s record and became the second-fastest Indian to reach the 1000 mark by innings (28).

In 2026, Abhishek Sharma has firmly established himself as India’s premier T20 opener. With consistent match-winning performances and an unmatched strike rate at the top, he climbed to the No.1 spot in the ICC T20I batter rankings.

(As of February 2026)