Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Abhishek Sharma

Discover the career path of Abhishek Sharma, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Abhishek Sharma is an Indian international cricketer, known for his left-handed batting and occasional left-arm orthodox spin. He represents Punjab in domestic cricket and Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL. Notably, in 2025, Sharma achieved the number one ranking in men's T20I cricket, also earning the highest rating points ever recorded in that format.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements

2015: Scored a century in his maiden U-16 match

In 2015, Abhishek Sharma scored a century in his maiden U-16 match in the domestic cricket tournament for the 2015–2016 Vijay Merchant Trophy, scoring 1,200 runs at an average of 109.09.

2016: U-19 Debut and Asia Cup Victory

In 2016, Abhishek Sharma made his U-19 debut for Punjab in the Vinoo Mankad Trophy. Sharma captained the team to victory at the 2016 U19 Asia Cup and was the player of the match during the final.

October 2017: First-Class Cricket Debut

On 6 October 2017, Abhishek Sharma made his debut in first-class cricket for Punjab in the 2017–18 Ranji Trophy.

2017: Led team during ODI series against England U19

In 2017, Abhishek Sharma led the team during an ODI series against England U19.

January 2018: Bought by Delhi Daredevils in IPL auction

In January 2018, Abhishek Sharma was bought by Delhi Daredevils in the 2018 IPL auction for Rs 5.5 million.

2018: Played in Vijay Hazare Trophy for Punjab

In 2018, Abhishek Sharma played in the 2018–19 Vijay Hazare Trophy for Punjab.

2018: U19 World Cup win

In 2018, Abhishek Sharma was a key member of the team that won the 2018 U19 World Cup, scoring a half-century against Bangladesh in the quarterfinal match of the tournament.

February 2021: Fastest hundred in List A cricket

On 28 February 2021, Abhishek Sharma, playing for Punjab against Madhya Pradesh, scored the fastest hundred by an Indian in List A cricket, in 42 balls.

February 2022: Bought by Sunrisers Hyderabad

In February 2022, Abhishek Sharma was bought by Sunrisers Hyderabad for the 2022 edition.

2023: Led Punjab to Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy win

In the 2023-24 season, Abhishek Sharma led Punjab to their maiden Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy win, finishing as the second-highest run scorer of the tournament with 485 runs from ten innings at an average of 48.50 and a strike rate of 192.46, registering two hundreds and three fifties.

2024: Fastest fifty for SRH against Mumbai Indians

In 2024, Abhishek Sharma scored the fastest fifty for SRH against Mumbai Indians at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium. He also finished the season with 484 runs in 16 matches and a strike rate of 200 and won the Most Sixes award for hitting the highest number of sixes (42) in the tournament.

2024: International Debut and Maiden T20I Century

In 2024, Abhishek Sharma was called up for the tour of Zimbabwe and made his international debut on 6 July. In the second match, he scored his maiden T20I century, becoming the fastest Indian to score a century in terms of number of innings.

2025: First century of the league

During the 2025 season, Abhishek Sharma hit his first century of the league in 40 balls during the match against Punjab Kings. He scored 141 runs off 55 balls, the highest individual score by an Indian and the third highest score by any batter in the league's history. Additionally, it was the highest score by an SRH batter and the fifth-fastest hundred witnessed by the league.

2025: Number one ranked men's T20I batter

In 2025, Abhishek Sharma became the number one ranked men's T20I batter, achieving the highest-ever men's rating points in the format's history.

2025: Highest Individual Score for India in T20Is

In 2025, Abhishek Sharma hit the highest individual score for India in T20Is by scoring 135 runs from 54 balls against England. His innings included 13 sixes and 7 fours. He also jumped to the 2nd spot in the men's T20I world rankings.

2025: Number One World Ranking in T20I and Asia Cup success

In 2025, Abhishek Sharma reached the number one world ranking in the T20I format. At the 2025 Asia Cup, Sharma broke the record of the most runs scored in a T20I edition of the tournament. He became the highest run-scorer of the edition with 314 runs in seven innings and was awarded the player of the tournament.

January 2026: Match-High Score Against New Zealand

On 21 January 2026, in the first T20I between India and New Zealand at Nagpur, Abhishek Sharma scored a match-high 84 runs, laying a solid foundation for India who won by 48 runs.

2026: Dismal Run and Half-Century in T20 World Cup

During the 2026 T20 World Cup, Abhishek Sharma endured a dismal run in the group stage. In the final, he scored 52 runs off 21 balls during a 98-run partnership with Sanju Samson, with it becoming the fastest half-century in the tournament from 18 balls.