Indian opener Abhishek Sharma etched his name in cricketing history on Friday, September 26, 2025, by becoming the highest run-scorer in a single edition of the Asia Cup T20Is. The left-hander from Punjab crossed the milestone during India’s Super 4s clash against Sri Lanka at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, surpassing Pakistan’s Mohammad Rizwan, who previously held the record.
This achievement not only highlights Abhishek’s consistency in the 2025 edition but also signals the arrival of a new batting force for India in the shortest format of the game.
Abhishek’s Record-Breaking Feat
Heading into the contest against Sri Lanka, Abhishek needed 34 runs to move past Rizwan’s tally of 281 runs, which was set in the 2022 Asia Cup. He reached the milestone in style during the fifth over of India’s innings, smashing a boundary off Dushmantha Chameera.
- New Record: 309 runs in six matches (Asia Cup 2025)
- Previous Record Holder: Mohammad Rizwan – 281 runs in six matches (Asia Cup 2022)
By achieving this landmark, Abhishek not only rewrote history but also underlined his importance at the top of India’s batting order.
Most Runs in a Single Asia Cup T20I Edition
| Player | Country | Edition | Matches | Runs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abhishek Sharma | India | 2025 | 6 | 309 |
| Mohammad Rizwan | Pakistan | 2022 | 6 | 281 |
| Virat Kohli | India | 2022 | 5 | 276 |
| Ibrahim Zadran | Afghanistan | 2022 | 5 | 196 |
| Babar Hayat | Hong Kong | 2016 | 3 | 194 |
Former captain Virat Kohli, who thrilled fans with a remarkable run in the 2022 edition, now finds himself in third place overall.
India’s Best Batting Performances in Asia Cup T20Is
India has produced several batting icons across Asia Cup editions, but Abhishek now stands above all in terms of single-edition performances.
| Player | Edition | Matches | Runs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abhishek Sharma | 2025 | 6 | 309 |
| Virat Kohli | 2022 | 5 | 276 |
| Virat Kohli | 2016 | 5 | 153 |
| Suryakumar Yadav | 2022 | 5 | 139 |
| Rohit Sharma | 2016 | 5 | 138 |
Abhishek is also the only batter in the 2025 edition to score over 200 runs, making him the standout performer by a considerable margin.
Asia Cup 2025: Leading Run-Scorers
While Abhishek leads the charts, other players have made their mark as well.
| Player | Country | Matches | Runs | Best Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abhishek Sharma | India | 6 | 309 | 75 |
| Saif Hassan | Bangladesh | 4 | 178 | 69 |
| Sahibzada Farhan | Pakistan | 6 | 160 | 58 |
| Pathum Nissanka | Sri Lanka | 5 | 154 | 68 |
| Towhid Hridoy | Bangladesh | 6 | 139 | 58 |
With 309 runs, Abhishek’s dominance is evident. To put things in perspective, his tally is 131 runs more than Bangladesh’s Saif Hassan, the second-highest scorer of the tournament so far.
All-Time Asia Cup T20I Run-Scorers
Abhishek’s exploits have also elevated him into the elite list of all-time leading run-scorers in Asia Cup T20Is. Despite playing just six matches, he already ranks among the top three.
| Player | Country | Matches | Runs | Best Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virat Kohli | India | 10 | 429 | 122* |
| Pathum Nissanka | Sri Lanka | 11 | 327 | 68 |
| Abhishek Sharma | India | 6 | 309 | 75 |
| Babar Hayat | Hong Kong | 8 | 292 | 122 |
| Mohammad Rizwan | Pakistan | 6 | 281 | 78* |
This achievement highlights how quickly Abhishek has made his mark on the continental stage, drawing comparisons with modern legends like Virat Kohli and Rizwan.
Abhishek’s Impactful Knock Against Bangladesh
One of Abhishek’s standout innings came during India’s last Super 4s encounter against Bangladesh, where he struck a blistering 75 runs off just 37 deliveries. His innings included six boundaries and five towering sixes, reflecting his aggressive yet calculated approach.
Such performances have not only powered India to commanding positions but also lifted the pressure off senior players, allowing the team management to experiment with their batting order.
Why Abhishek’s Record Matters
Abhishek Sharma’s run spree in the Asia Cup 2025 is more than just a statistical achievement—it signals the following:
- Generational Shift: With Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma nearing the twilight of their careers, Abhishek represents the next wave of Indian batting stars.
- Consistency Under Pressure: Scoring across matches in a high-stakes tournament shows he is more than a one-innings wonder.
- Strategic Advantage: His aggressive starts provide India with a platform to dominate opposition bowlers early in the innings.
- Marketability: Like Kohli and Rohit before him, Abhishek’s rise adds to Indian cricket’s star power, both on-field and commercially.
Final Thoughts
Abhishek Sharma’s record-breaking spree in the Asia Cup 2025 is not just about runs; it’s about a young player grabbing the spotlight in one of cricket’s most competitive stages. With 309 runs in six games, he has firmly established himself as India’s new batting sensation and a potential long-term match-winner.
As India looks ahead to global tournaments like the ICC T20 World Cup, Abhishek’s form could be a defining factor. If his performances in the Asia Cup are anything to go by, fans may well be witnessing the rise of another Indian great in the making.
Also Read: Pakistan ‘Good Enough to Beat India’ in Asia Cup 2025 Final, Declares Salman Ali Agha
