What makes Abhishek Sharma a certain pick as an opener in India’s squad for Asia Cup 2025? Here are his numbers

The Ajit Agarkar-led BCCI selection committee might be scratching their heads over the call on Shubman Gill in India’s squad for the Asia Cup 2025, but one name that shouldn’t be up for debate is that of Abhishek Sharma. With just 20 days to go until the continental showpiece, the BCCI is slated to announce the Indian squad for the Asia Cup 2025 on Tuesday in Mumbai.

With the T20 World Cup around the corner, the Asia Cup 2025 is being seen as a precursor for the global event, which will be jointly held by India and Sri Lanka early next year.

In the Asia Cup 2025, India have been placed in Group A along with Pakistan, UAE and Oman. Group B consists of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Hong Kong and Sri Lanka.

Abhishek Sharma, the dashing Punjab batter, grabbed everyone’s attention in the 2024 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) for Sunrisers Hyderabad when he became a nightmare for opposition bowlers. With Australian Travis Head as his opening partner, Sharma’s attacking approach in the powerplay made everyone take note of the youngster.

In IPL 2024, Sharma scored 484 runs at a staggering strike rate of 204.21, which further earned him his maiden India call-up against Zimbabwe. Although he was dismissed for a duck, Sharma made a statement for himself with a blistering hundred in the next game off just 47 balls.

Mentored by former all-rounder Yuvraj Singh, Sharma hasn’t looked back since then. In his last T20I series against England, Sharma’s score reads 79, 12, 24, 29 and 135. In fact, his career-best of 135 off just 54 balls showcased his ability to take on any bowling attack in the world.

If anyone thought Sharma’s numbers in IPL 2024 were a fluke, the SRH opener’s 439 runs at a stunning strike rate of 193.39 in the 2025 edition are a testament to the southpaw’s growing stature. It was during IPL 2025 that Sharma recorded his highest T20 score of 141.

Abhishek Sharma’s numbers for India

In 16 T20Is so far, Sharma has accumulated 535 runs at a stunning strike rate of 193.85- the highest for any Indian with at least 500 runs in the shortest format of the game.

Furthermore, the left-hander also sits atop the ICC T20I rankings for batters, making him the youngest Indian to achieve the feat. Sharma’s compatriot Tilak Varma is in second spot, while Indian T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav takes the sixth spot.