Abhishek Sharma Profile
The left-handed opener who hits the ball out of the park from the very first over. This is the complete story of Abhishek Sharma, India’s most explosive T20I batter and the holder of the world record for sixes in a year.
By CricketGatha · Updated October 2026 · 8 min read
Abhishek Sharma Quick Facts
| Full name | Abhishek Sharma |
| Born | 4 September 2000, Amritsar, Punjab (age 26 as of October 2026) |
| Role | Opening batter, batting all-rounder |
| Batting / bowling | Left-handed / slow left-arm orthodox |
| Height | 5 ft 7 in |
| Jersey number | 4 |
| Domestic / IPL team | Punjab / Sunrisers Hyderabad |
| T20I debut | 6 July 2024 v Zimbabwe, Harare |
| Parents | Raj Kumar and Manju Sharma; two elder sisters |
| School | Delhi Public School, Amritsar |
| Mentors | Yuvraj Singh, Yograj Singh |
Early Life and Background
Abhishek was born in Amritsar and went to Delhi Public School in the city. His father, Raj Kumar, backed his cricket from the start, and he began playing age-group cricket for Punjab. He is a childhood friend of Shubman Gill, and the two used to open the batting together for Punjab in the Under-14s.
He captained India’s Under-19 side to the 2016 Asia Cup title, was player of the match in the final, and was a key member of the team that won the 2018 Under-19 World Cup in New Zealand. Later, during the COVID-19 lockdown, he trained with Yuvraj Singh, who helped shape his power game.
Career Timeline
Abhishek Sharma Career Stats
| Format | Matches | Runs | Hundreds | Highest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| T20I | 60+ | 2,000+ | 3 | 135 v England |
| All T20 cricket | 209 (as of Sept 2026) | 6,000+ | 10 | 148 |
Abhishek is also a useful part-time bowler. With his slow left-arm spin, he has taken 10 T20I wickets, with best figures of 3/17. In October 2026, he became the sixth Indian to reach 2,000 T20I runs, and earlier in the year he reached 6,000 T20 runs in 3,420 balls, the second fewest balls ever, behind only Finn Allen.
Major Records
Most T20I sixes in a calendar year
Highest T20I scores by Indians
Fastest century
His 108 off 34 balls against Afghanistan in September 2026 included a century off 30 balls, the fastest in T20Is by a full-member player.
Most sixes in an innings
His 13 sixes against England in 2025 are the most by an Indian in a T20I innings.
World number one
Reached number one in the T20I rankings in 2025, the youngest Indian to do so, with a record 931 rating points.
Asia Cup record
Scored 314 runs in seven innings at the 2025 Asia Cup, the most in a T20I edition of the tournament.
Greatest Innings
| Score | Match | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| 135 | v England, Mumbai, 2025 | Off 54 balls with 13 sixes, India’s highest T20I score |
| 108 | v Afghanistan, Delhi, 2026 | Century off 30 balls with 11 sixes, followed by a yoga-pose celebration |
| 100 | v Zimbabwe, Harare, 2024 | Hundred off 46 balls in his second T20I |
| 84 | v New Zealand, Nagpur, 2026 | Off 35 balls with eight sixes to open the series |
| 68* | v New Zealand, Guwahati, 2026 | Off 20 balls, including a 14-ball fifty, as India chased 154 in 10 overs |
| 52 | v New Zealand, T20 World Cup final, 2026 | Off 21 balls in a 98-run opening stand with Sanju Samson |
Batting Style and Strengths
- Fearless powerplay hitting: He attacks from ball one and is the only batter from a full-member nation with three 50-plus scores in the powerplay in T20Is.
- Clean hitting: Strong wrists and a quick bat swing, which he has worked on with golf practice, let him clear the ropes against pace and spin.
- Discipline: He is known for an early-morning routine of meditation, swimming and training.
- Left-arm spin: His part-time bowling gives India an extra option.
Not every innings has gone his way. In the group stage of the 2026 T20 World Cup he was out for a duck three times, yet he bounced back with a rapid 52 in the final.
Abhishek in the IPL
Abhishek made his IPL debut for Delhi Daredevils in 2018 and has played for Sunrisers Hyderabad since. In 2024 he scored 484 runs at a strike rate of 200 and hit the most sixes in the tournament. In 2025 he scored 141 off 55 balls against Punjab Kings, a hundred reached in 40 balls and the second-highest individual IPL score by an Indian.
Awards and Honours
Asia Cup 2025
Winner and Player of the Tournament with 314 runs
T20 World Cup 2026
Member of the title-winning India squad
Junior titles
ICC Under-19 World Cup 2018 and Under-19 Asia Cup 2016 (as captain)
Domestic
Captained Punjab to their first Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (2023-24)
Latest Form
On 14 October 2026, Abhishek hit his 69th six of the year in the fourth T20I against the West Indies in Hyderabad, passing Suryakumar Yadav’s record of 68 for the most T20I sixes in a calendar year by a player from a full-member nation. West Indies won the match by 25 runs to level the series at 2-2, with the decider to be played in Bengaluru.
With India’s remaining matches this year, he has a chance to push the record even further.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Abhishek Sharma?
He was born on 4 September 2000, so he is 26 as of October 2026.
What is Abhishek Sharma’s highest T20I score?
135 off 54 balls against England in Mumbai in February 2025, the highest T20I score by an Indian.
How many sixes has Abhishek Sharma hit in 2026?
He has hit 69 T20I sixes in 2026 so far, a record for a player from a full-member nation, and the total may rise.
Which IPL team does Abhishek Sharma play for?
Sunrisers Hyderabad. He started his IPL career with Delhi Daredevils in 2018.
Who are Abhishek Sharma’s mentors?
He has been mentored by Yuvraj Singh and Yograj Singh, and trained with Yuvraj during the COVID-19 lockdown.
Is Abhishek Sharma a friend of Shubman Gill?
Yes. They are childhood friends and opened the batting together for Punjab in the Under-14s.
