Abhishek Sharma is arguably the most destructive T20I opener in the world at present. For someone who made his international debut only in 2024, this is an enviable tag to have but the Punjab batter doesn't let the pressure of the reputation affect him. Abhishek is the fastest to get to 1000 T20I runs and with a career strike rate edging towards 200, it is an understatement to term him as dangerous.
On Sunday (December 14), Abhishek started India's chase with a six off the very first ball of the innings. Marco Jansen, who bowled the over, dished up a harmless short delivery down the leg-side and it was too big a gift for Abhishek to ignore. Not that he needs one anyway. It was helped on its way over fine leg for a big six as India's innings began with a bang.
India have now started their T20I innings with a six on six occasions and Abhishek has done it three times already. That's 50 percent of this incredible list and the way Abhishek bats, there could be a lot more in store during his peak years. Rohit Sharma was the first Indian to do this when he hit Adil Rashid for a six in Ahmedabad (2021).
Yashasvi Jaiswal did it once in 2024 against Sikandar Raza in Harare while Sanju Samson gave a similar dose to Jofra Archer at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai in 2025. This list tells us that five of the six instances have come in 2024-25, showcasing the immense shift in intent from India's batting unit.
Abhishek is the poster boy of the ultra-aggressive brand of cricket India aims to play in the shortest format. With his high-risk approach, failures are inevitable but so far, the southpaw has married consistency with firepower to make a lethal combination. And yes, you cannot afford to bowl a loosener against him because data has proven that he doesn't spare even the first ball of an innings.