From rookie to maestro: A statistical look at Abhishek Sharma's meteoric T20I rise

Abhishek Sharma's comparison [Source: AFP]

Abhishek Sharma has quickly become one of India’s most explosive T20I openers. Ever since he entered the international scene in 2024, right after the retirement of T20 greats Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, he has shown the same fearlessness he displayed in the IPL. 

At just 25, he has built a reputation for hitting big shots from ball one and attacking bowlers all around the ground. But what makes his journey even more impressive is how much he has improved in just one year. When we compare his 2024 numbers to his form in 2025, the difference is striking.

Overall, Abhishek has played 29 T20Is, scoring 1,012 runs at a massive strike rate of 189.51, showing that he is not just aggressive but consistently impactful. 

However, his growth becomes more noticeable when we break down the numbers year by year.

Explosive yet inconsistent: How Abhishek fared in 2024

Abhishek first caught Indian selectors attention during the IPL 2024, where his fearless hitting forced the selectors to fast-track him into Indian T20I squad. He made his debut against Zimbabwe that same year and immediately displayed his natural power-hitting skills. 

In that debut series, he scored 110 runs in 3 innings, including a stunning century, while striking at 183.33, proving he had the tools to dominate at the international level.

However, 2024 was also a learning year for him. Despite his potential, his consistency was missing. Across 11 innings in 2024, he scored 256 runs at an average of 23.27 and a strike rate of 171.81. 

While those numbers showed he could produce big knocks, they also revealed that he was still figuring out how to convert starts and build innings. His tally for the year, 1 hundred and 1 fifty, reflected both his talent and a bit of inconsistency.

Abhishek Sharma shows new version of himself in 2025

However, everything changed in 2025. The new year saw a more mature and confident Abhishek Sharma. He worked on his shot selection, improved his temperament, and learned how to pace his innings better. His series against England early in 2025 was a turning point. 

In just 5 innings, the Punjab batter smashed 279 runs at a jaw-dropping strike rate of 219.69, marking the beginning of his breakout year.

By 2025, the numbers showed a completely transformed player. In 17 innings, he piled up 756 runs, including 1 century and 5 fifties, at an impressive average of 47.25. His strike rate also rose sharply from 171.81 in 2024 to 196.36 in 2025, showing that he had not only retained his natural explosiveness but had become far more consistent and calculated.

Conclusion: Abhishek Sharma is a beast in the making

When we compare the two versions of Abhishek, 2024 vs. 2025, the improvement is extraordinary. His average has doubled from 23.27 to 47.25, his fifty-plus scores increased from 2 to 6, and his strike rate saw a significant jump. 

Notably, these numbers clearly show a young batter who has learned from his mistakes, sharpened his strengths, and adapted quickly to international cricket.

If Abhishek continues on this upward path, he has the potential to break several more records and establish himself as one of India’s most dangerous T20I openers in years to come.

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