Sharma Outshines Kohli, Suryakumar with New Record

News Desk 

Hyderabad: Indian opener Abhishek Sharma continued his sensational rise in international cricket, finishing the Asia Cup 2025 as India’s leading run-scorer and rewriting the T20I record books.

The 25-year-old southpaw amassed 314 runs in seven matches at a staggering strike rate of 200, including three half-centuries, as India went unbeaten to clinch the title.

His prolific form has seen him climb to the top of the ICC T20I batting rankings with a historic 931 rating points — the highest ever achieved in the format. In doing so, Abhishek surpassed England’s Dawid Malan’s previous best of 919 points in 2020 and eclipsed Indian greats Virat Kohli and Suryakumar Yadav in the record books.

Since his debut against Zimbabwe in July 2024, Abhishek has cemented his place in the T20I side, scoring 849 runs in 24 matches, with two centuries and five fifties. His all-round ability has also been evident in List A cricket, where he has scored over 2,000 runs at a strike rate of nearly 100 and picked up 38 wickets with his left-arm spin.

His stellar Asia Cup run has sparked speculation of his inclusion in India’s ODI squad for the upcoming series against Australia beginning October 19.

Meanwhile, Tilak Verma gained 28 rating points after notable innings against Sri Lanka and Pakistan but remains at No.3. Sri Lanka’s Pathum Nissanka entered the top five, while Pakistan’s Sahibzada Farhan (up 11 spots to 13th), India’s Sanju Samson (up eight to 31st), and Bangladesh’s Saif Hassan (up 45 to 36th) also climbed the rankings.

Among all-rounders, Pakistan’s Saim Ayub rose to the No.1 spot, overtaking Sikandar Raza, Deependra Airee, Mohammad Nabi, and Hardik Pandya.