Indian cricket’s rising star Abhishek Sharma has turned 25, and his journey so far has been nothing short of extraordinary. Known for his explosive batting style, the left-handed opener made headlines when he smashed a century in just his second T20I match against Zimbabwe in July 2024. What made it even more remarkable was that he achieved the milestone using a borrowed bat from his childhood friend Shubman Gill.

Abhishek has already scored two T20I centuries, cementing his place as one of the most promising young batsmen in the Indian squad. Interestingly, this young cricketer had already displayed his potential long before his international debut. Let’s take a look at five big facts that define Abhishek Sharma’s cricketing journey.

1. Scored His First Century With a Borrowed Bat

Abhishek Sharma’s international career began in July 2024 against Zimbabwe. While he failed to open his account in his debut match, he bounced back in style in the very next game. Borrowing a bat from his close friend Shubman Gill, Abhishek hammered 100 runs off just 47 balls, laced with 8 sixes and 7 fours. That innings instantly announced his arrival on the big stage.

2. Dominated the Vijay Merchant Trophy

Long before his Team India debut, Abhishek was already making headlines in junior cricket. During the 2015-16 Vijay Merchant Trophy, he scored 1200 runs in just 7 matches while also picking up 57 wickets. His all-round brilliance made him the highest run-scorer of the tournament and earned him the prestigious Raj Singh Dungarpur Award.

3. Father Was His First Coach

Abhishek picked up the bat at the age of just three and a half years. His father, Raj Kumar Sharma, who played cricket up to the Under-22 North Zone level, was his first coach. From local grounds in Amritsar to India’s international stadiums, his father’s early guidance played a key role in shaping Abhishek’s career.

4. Controversy Off the Field

In 2024, Abhishek Sharma’s name surfaced in a controversy when he was questioned by Surat Police in connection with the suicide of model Tania Singh, with whom he was reportedly in contact. However, the cricketer quickly moved past the episode and regained focus on his game.

5. Record-Breaking Performances in IPL and T20Is

Abhishek’s aggressive batting has made him a standout player in the IPL as well. In the IPL 2025 season, he smashed 141 runs off 55 balls against Punjab Kings, a record for the highest individual score in IPL history.

His heroics extended to international cricket too. In February 2025, Abhishek scored 135 runs against England, the highest individual T20I score by an Indian. Notably, he also hit the most sixes in 2024 — 42 in total — and has already registered seven T20 centuries, a remarkable feat for a young batter.