Abhishek Sharma is on the verge of breaking Virat Kohli’s record for most runs by an Indian in a calendar year in T20s. Kohli set the benchmark in 2016, scoring 1,614 runs from 31 matches at an average of 89.66, including four hundreds and 14 fifties. Abhishek is now just 87 runs short of the milestone.
This year, he has amassed 1533 runs from 39 T20 matches at an average of 41.43, with three centuries and nine fifties. The left-hander will next take the field on Sunday, December 14 at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) Stadium in Dharamsala.
Abhishek Sharma’s performance in the ongoing India vs South Africa T20I series has been a mix of brilliance and inconsistency. He was dismissed cheaply in the first T20I at Cuttack as India posted 175 for six and winning comfortably by 101 runs.
In the second T20I at New Chandigarh, Sharma again opened the innings but managed just 17 runs off 8 balls, hitting two sixes – one taking him past 50 sixes in the calendar year for T20 Internationals, joining an elite group of Indian power hitters.
Despite a quick cameo, he fell early and India struggled in the chase, with South Africa posting 213 for four to win by 51 runs to level the series at 1-1.
India’s campaign so far has reflected contrasting fortunes. Their bowlers dominated the first match, batsmen contributed to a strong total. However, in the second game, defending a big target of 214, India were bowled out for 162 in 19.1 overs, highlighting the vulnerability in the chase.
With the five-match series now level, India will need more consistent contributions from both the top and middle order, while Sharma’s explosive batting continues to offer a potential match-winner.
– The end
Issued by:
sabyasachi chowdhury
Published on:
December 13, 2025
