In a stunning development that marks a new era in Indian cricket, 23-year-old Abhishek Sharma has climbed to the No. 1 position in the ICC T20I batting rankings, becoming the youngest Indian ever to top the list. The left-handed opener, who was not even in the reckoning for national selection a year ago, has leapfrogged some of the game’s most established names, including Suryakumar Yadav and Shubman Gill, to claim the coveted spot.
Abhishek Sharma come back
Abhishek’s meteoric rise comes on the back of a stellar T20I series against Zimbabwe, where he not only struck his maiden international century but also followed it up with impactful knocks, including a gritty 57 despite a hairline fracture in his right hand. His fearless strokeplay, combined with composure under pressure, has earned him global recognition and comparisons with India’s finest white-ball batters.
With this achievement, Abhishek Sharma joins the elite company of Indian greats like Virat Kohli and Suryakumar Yadav, both of whom have previously held the No. 1 T20I batter spot. While Kohli dominated the format with classical consistency and Suryakumar dazzled with innovation, Abhishek is seen as a blend of both—bringing raw power and calculated aggression to the crease.
According to the latest ICC rankings released on Wednesday, Abhishek now leads the T20I batting chart, surpassing Suryakumar Yadav who had maintained the top spot for much of the past year. The jump in rankings is not just a personal milestone but a signal of generational change in Indian cricket. What stands out is his rise despite not being a regular in the senior side until recently, proving how impactful his performances have been in a short span.
Stokes and Jadeja prosper in ICC Men’s Test Player Rankings
Meanwhile, the rankings update also saw significant movement in other formats. In Tests, England’s Ben Stokes and India’s Ravindra Jadeja made major gains. Stokes, after his all-round heroics in the Ashes and the recent series against India, climbed into the top 10 all-rounders list, while Jadeja solidified his position as the No. 1 Test all-rounder with consistent performances both with bat and ball.
In the bowling charts, India’s left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav gained three places in the T20I rankings, thanks to his match-winning spells against Zimbabwe. Arshdeep Singh also rose by two positions, reflecting India’s strong recent form in the shortest format.
Rishabh Pant, returning to the squad after a year-long injury layoff, was also rewarded in the rankings. Despite playing through a painful finger fracture during a recent T20I, Pant’s fighting fifty did not go unnoticed. He moved up four spots in the batting rankings, reinforcing his value as a match-winner under pressure.
Abhishek Sharma’s journey from domestic cricket to global No. 1 has inspired fans and fellow players alike. His rise signifies India’s enviable depth in talent and a system that continues to produce world-class performers. As the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 looms on the horizon, India appears to have found a new batting superstar—young, fearless, and already at the top of the world.
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