Ravi Shastri Declares India Star as T20 World Cup Trump Card

As the T20 World Cup approaches, former Indian coach Ravi Shastri has identified Abhishek Sharma as a key player for the Indian team. Known for his impressive batting skills, Sharma is currently in outstanding form. Recently, he scored 84 runs off just 35 balls, leading India to a 48-run victory over New Zealand in the first T20I.

Ravi Shastri’s High Praise for Abhishek Sharma

At an ICC event, Shastri declared, “Without a shadow of a doubt, Abhishek Sharma is the No. 1 T20 batsman in the world.” He emphasized that Sharma’s confidence is at an all-time high, especially with the support of the home crowd during the World Cup. His performance against New Zealand showcased his ability to influence the game’s outcome.

Career Highlights

Since debuting for India in 2024, Abhishek Sharma has solidified his position in the T20I lineup. He has achieved several remarkable feats:

• In his breakthrough IPL season of 2024, he scored 484 runs in 16 matches with a strike rate of 200.
• Abhishek was the second-highest run-scorer for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) after Travis Head.
• He won the Most Sixes award by hitting 42 sixes that season.

In IPL 2025, Sharma demonstrated his prowess further by scoring his first century in just 40 balls against Punjab Kings. He amassed 141 runs off 55 balls, marking the highest individual score by an Indian and the third-highest in IPL history. This performance established him as a prominent figure in the tournament.

International Recognition

Sharma gained international acclaim with his maiden T20I century scored during his debut series for India, achieving this milestone in the second match. His performance made him the fourth batter to secure a maiden T20I century before turning 24.

At the 2025 Asia Cup, he emerged as the highest run-scorer with 314 runs across seven innings. His remarkable consistency earned him the Player of the Tournament title, setting a new record for the most runs scored in a T20I edition of the continental tournament.

As India gears up for the T20 World Cup, all eyes will be on Abhishek Sharma. His explosive batting style and recent performances signal that he could be the trump card for the Indian team in their quest for victory.