Abhishek Sharma created history for India during their 2025 Asia Cup clash against Pakistan on Sunday (September 14) as he played a key role in helping the Suryakumar Yadav-led side register a thumping seven-wicket victory at the Dubai International Stadium.
Chasing 128 on a tricky surface, Abhishek Sharma put the Men in Blue in cruise control with a quick-fire start. The 25-year-old made just 31 runs in 13 balls in a knock that included four boundaries and two sixes. Infact, the left-handed hit a boundary and six of the first two balls of the innings on Shaheen Afridi’s bowling.
Abhishek Sharma’s tally of 31 runs is the most by an Indian player in the powerplay of a T20I innings against Pakistan. He is also the first Indian batter to score over 30 runs in the first six overs of an innings against the Men in Green. The record previously belonged to Virat Kohli, which he set at the same venue in 2022.
| Player | Runs In Powerplay | Venue | Year |
| Abhishek Sharma | 31 | Dubai | 2025 (14th September) |
| Virat Kohli | 29 | Dubai | 2022 (28th August) |
| Rohit Sharma | 28 | Dubai | 2022 (4th September) |
| KL Rahul | 28 | Dubai | 2022 (4th September) |
| Ajinkya Rahane | 25 | Ahmedabad | 2012 (28th December) |
Although Abhishek Sharma departed in the fourth over as Saim Ayub got his wicket, he set the stage for the Men in Blue to comfortably chase the target. Ultimately, India won the game with 25 balls to spare, with skipper Suryakumar top-scoring with an unbeaten 37-ball 47.
Abhishek Sharma also holds the record for the most runs by an Indian player in the powerplay of a T20I inning after making 57 runs against England during his record knock of 135 earlier this year at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium.
Following his swashbuckling innings,Former Indian cricketer now commentator Aakash Chopra lauded Abhishek Sharma’s scathing attack on Pakistan spearhead Shaheen Afridi.
Abhishek Sharma has an outstanding impact- Aakash Chopra
Rising star Abhishek Sharma got India off to yet another rapid start in the Asia Cup in Dubai, this time against arch-rivals Pakistan, helping the Men in Blue seize control early in the game. After his explosive 30 off 16 deliveries helped India chase down a meagre 58-run target set by UAE with 93 deliveries to spare, Abhishek produced an even more fiery knock against the Men in Green, smashing 31 off 13 balls at a strike rate of 238.46.
And as was the case against the tournament hosts on Wednesday, Abhishek began the chase with a four and a six in the first two deliveries. Haider Ali was the UAE bowler who had been subjected to the ignominious start earlier this week. And on Sunday, it was Shaheen Shah Afridi, one of the premier fast bowlers of the current generation and the leader of the Pakistani attack.
The fireworks, however, were by no means a one-off, with Abhishek Sharma smashing Afrid for a six and a four in his next over as well! And shortly after smashing off-spinner Saim Ayub for back-to-back fours in the latter’s second over, Abhishek Sharma would pay the price for a shot too many, mis-hitting the ball down the ground after dancing down the track to get caught by Faheem Ashraf near long off.
The impact of Abhishek’s knock, however, was such that the Men in Blue were firmly on top despite losing a couple of wickets in the powerplay, racing to 61/2 at the end of six overs. And he did receive plenty of praise on social media and cricket experts for his explosive start. Former Indian opener now commentator Aakash Chopra too has lauded Abhishek Sharma following his blazing start. Speaking to ESPNCricinfo ‘s YouTube channel. Chopra said :
“Abhishek Sharma – Outstanding (impact) actually, because he just allows everyone else to be just take your time. You can just stroll; you will still have enough time. That’s what he did. That onslaught in the beginning did two things: one, it took away Shaheen Shah Afridi’s threat… He decided to take him down by ball one itself. So, that was the statement of intent. After that, India were so far ahead in the game by the time he got out.”