Ravi Shastri names India’s X-factor player for the T20 World Cup 2026

Former India captain and head coach Ravi Shastri believes that Abhishek Sharma will be closely watched by rival teams and the cricket community in the T20 World Cup 2026, which is scheduled to be held next month, as the player is currently in tremendous form. Abhishek Sharma is currently the No. 1-ranked T20I batter. Abhishek has scored 1199 runs in 33 innings, with a wonderful strike rate of 190.32 in his career so far. He smashed 2 centuries and 7 half-centuries. He made his India debut in July 2024 against Zimbabwe. After his debut, he never looked back and steadily rose through the ranks to carve his name into the history of cricket.

During India's most recent series-opening encounter against New Zealand on January 21 in Nagpur, Shastri talked about how Abhishek brutally crushed the Kiwi team bowling attack. He scored 84 runs in just 35 balls, including 4 fours and 6 sixes.

Thanks to his innings, India put a mammoth cricket score of 238 runs after batting first. In response, New Zealand scored only 190 runs. And, India won the series opener by 48 runs. Shastri praised his innings and also said that whenever Abhishek Sharma does well, the Indian team will be in a commanding and strong position.

"Abhishek Sharma, without a shadow of doubt, number one T20 batter in the world and in a rich vein of form. Last evening (in the first T20I), he took the game away from New Zealand. And you've got to watch out for him because his confidence level is high. He'll be backed by the home crowd. And if he takes off, it means India takes off," shared Shastri at an event arranged by ICC and Marriott Bonvoy.

Abhishek Sharma is currently in tremendous form. He was the highest scorer in the Asia Cup 2025 (314 runs in 7 innings, including 3 half-centuries) and in the Australia series (163 runs in 5 innings, including a half-century). He would like to carry his form in the upcoming cricket matches of India vs New Zealand T20I series and also the major event, ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. 

Abhishek’s next appearance will be seen in the India vs New Zealand 2nd T20I of the 5-match series, which will be held at the Shaheed Veer Narayan International Stadium, Raipur, on January 23, where he wants to play another quick and wonderful knock in India’s winning cause.