Indian cricket's young batting sensation, Abhishek Sharma, stands on the cusp of etching his name into the history books. The explosive left-handed opener is within touching distance of breaking a prestigious national record held by the legendary Virat Kohli.
The Record in Sight: Kohli's 2016 Benchmark
Back in 2016, Virat Kohli set a towering benchmark for Indian batters in T20 Internationals. In a phenomenal year, Kohli amassed 641 runs across 15 innings, boasting an astonishing average of 106.83 and a strike rate of 140.26. This record for the most T20I runs by an Indian in a single calendar year has remained unchallenged for nearly a decade.
Now, Abhishek Sharma has launched a serious assault on that milestone. Following his blistering performances in 2024, Sharma has carried his sublime form into the new year. His recent knock of 55 runs off just 31 balls in the first T20I against Sri Lanka in Dharamsala has propelled him to the brink of history.
Abhishek Sharma's Current Stance and the Final Hurdle
After that powerful half-century, Abhishek Sharma's tally for the calendar year 2025 stands at 584 runs. This places him just 58 runs short of surpassing Virat Kohli's record of 641 runs. The stage for this potential record-breaking feat is set: the second T20I against Sri Lanka, scheduled for December 20th.
Sharma's journey to this point has been marked by consistent aggression and match-winning knocks. His current year's statistics are impressive, with an average of 48.66 and a devastating strike rate of 187.77, highlighting his role as a dynamic force at the top of the order.
The Bigger Picture: Chasing Suryakumar's World Record
While Kohli's national record is the immediate target, an even more monumental achievement looms in the distance. The overall world record for most T20I runs in a calendar year is held by another Indian superstar, Suryakumar Yadav. 'SKY' scored a mammoth 733 runs in the year 2022.
For Abhishek Sharma to claim that global crown, he would need to score a total of 150 runs across the remaining two matches of the ongoing series against Sri Lanka. This presents a thrilling secondary narrative for fans to follow as the young prodigy aims for the stars.
The cricketing world will have its eyes glued to the second T20I. Can Abhishek Sharma seize the moment, score the required 58 runs, and dethrone Virat Kohli's long-standing record? His fearless approach suggests he will not hold back, promising an exhilarating contest within the contest.
