Abhishek Sharma Biography: Childhood, career and achievements

Known for his effortless power-hitting and destructive batting, Abhishek Sharma is touted to be India’s upcoming superstar in white-ball cricket. He has played only 17 T20 internationals for India but has become a household name in world cricket, thanks to his batting exploits in the Indian Premier League. He has been a constant figure in the Indian Premier League, having made his debut for Delhi Capitals in the 2018 edition of the cash-rich league. 

Childhood: 

Abhishek Sharma was born to Raj Kumar Sharma and Manju Sharma in Amritsar, Punjab. He has two elder sisters - Sonia Sharma and Komal Sharma. He developed an affinity towards cricket at the tender age of three. Raj Kumar Sharma, his father, was instrumental in his journey to becoming who he is now. At 14 years of age, Abhishek Sharma left his home in Amritsar and moved to Patiala for professional training. 

Professional Cricket Career: 

Abhishek Sharma’s name in the cricketing circles first came to light after making a phenomenal debut in the Vijay Merchant Under-16 Trophy 2015-16. He made as many as 1200 runs in just seven matches that season. He then led India’s under-19 team to the 2016 U19 Asia Cup title and was the Player of the Match in the final. Abhishek Sharma’s first-class cricket debut came in the 2017-18 Ranji Trophy on 6th October 2017.  

He was the second-highest run-getter in the 2023-24 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Turning up for Punjab, he hammered 485 runs in ten matches at 48.50 with two hundreds and three fifties. Abhishek Sharma was an integral part of India’s victorious Under-19 World Cup 2018 campaign. In the quarter-final encounter, he picked up 2/11 and scored a half-century. 

Indian Premier League: 

Delhi Capitals roped him in the 2018 IPL auction for INR 55 lakh. In his very first game in the Indian Premier League, he grabbed eyeballs with an eye-catching knock of 46 off 19 balls. He played only two matches that season but his IPL career blossomed when he was traded to Sunrisers Hyderabad before the 2019 season. 

His breakthrough season arrived in the 2022 edition of the IPL. Opening the innings for his team, he hammered 426 runs in 14 matches at an average of 30.43 and a strike rate of 133. A mediocre season in 2023 was followed by another 400-plus season for the southpaw. He smashed 484 runs in 16 matches at a jaw-dropping strike rate of 204.22. His knock of 63 off 23 helped Sunrisers Hyderabad register 277 for 3- the highest in Indian Premier League history. Along with Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma gave SRH destructive starts and took them to the final. 

Abhishek Sharma smashed his maiden Indian Premier League century in the 2025 edition. In the clash against Punjab Kings, he played a sensational knock of 141 runs in 55 balls - the highest IPL score by an Indian batter and the third highest, overall. He had a standout season, overall, with 439 runs at a blistering strike rate of 193. 

International Cricket Career: 

Abhishek Sharma made his first steps in international cricket during India’s tour of Zimbabwe on 6th July 2024. In just his second T20 international, he smashed a century off just 46 balls, reminding everyone of his talent and giving a glimpse of his bright future. Later, on 2nd February 2025, Abhishek Sharma hit the highest individual T20I score by an Indian batter. He smashed 135 runs in just 54 balls against England in the fifth T20I of the five-match series. So far, in his T20I cricket career, Abhishek Sharma has played 17 matches for India, scoring 535 runs at an average and a strike rate of 33 and 193, respectively.