Abhishek Sharma’s rise in cricket isn’t an overnight miracle — it’s a story of family support, fearless batting, and making the most of every chance. From his childhood in Punjab to smashing centuries for India and Sunrisers Hyderabad, he’s quickly becoming one of the most talked-about young cricketers. This long-form profile walks through his early life, career milestones, mentors, on-field confrontations, net worth, and what makes him such a special player.
Quick take (if you’re skimming)
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Short answer: Abhishek Sharma is one of India’s brightest young batting talents, known for explosive T20 hitting and calm temperament.
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Career highlight: Highest IPL score by an Indian (141 runs in 2025) and a century in only his second T20I for India.
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Net worth: Around ₹12–15 crore, driven by IPL contracts, BCCI salary, and endorsements.
- Current T20 Batting Ranking: Abhishek Sharma is ranked #1 among T20I batters with an ICC rating of 884. His closest contenders are Philip Salt (ENG), Jos Buttler (ENG), and Tilak Varma (IND).
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Coaching: First trained by his father, mentored by legends like Yuvraj Singh and Rahul Dravid.
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Fight note: Gained headlines in 2025 after a heated on-field exchange with Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf during the Asia Cup.
Childhood and Early Life
Abhishek was born on 4 September 2000 in Amritsar, Punjab.
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Family: Youngest of three children, raised by parents Rajkumar Sharma (father) and Manju Sharma (mother).
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Schooling: Studied at Delhi Public School, where cricket quickly became more than a hobby.
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First coach: His father, Rajkumar Sharma, a former cricketer, started training him from a very young age.
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Early spark: By age 16, he was already practicing against bowlers clocking 150 kph — a deliberate push from his father to remove fear of pace bowling.
Abhishek Sharma & Shubman Gill: A Friendship Forged on Fire and Ice
Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill’s friendship is a testament to the power of shared dreams and mutual respect. Their bond, forged in the cricketing fields of Punjab, has blossomed into one of the most dynamic partnerships in Indian cricket.
Their journey began in their early teens when both were part of Punjab’s Under-14 cricket team. Abhishek led the team, with Shubman as his deputy, showcasing leadership and camaraderie from the outset. Their synergy was evident, with Abhishek’s aggressive play complementing Shubman’s calm demeanor. Former Punjab cricketer Arun Bedi described them as “Ek shaant hai and dusra shaitaan” (One is calm, the other mischievous), highlighting their contrasting yet harmonious styles.
Abhishek’s aggressive “fire” style balancing Shubman’s calm “ice” approach. Their partnership has flourished both on and off the field:
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Early synergy: Teammates from U-14, showing leadership and mutual trust.
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Fire-and-ice duo: Contrasting batting styles that balance each other in matches.
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Historic moments: Asia Cup 2025 – 105-run opening stand against Pakistan, breaking records.
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Deep understanding: Communicate seamlessly on-field, reflecting years of playing together.
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Friendship beyond cricket: Mutual support, shared experiences, and encouragement off the field.
Their bond is not just about runs or records; it’s a testament to how friendship and teamwork can elevate performance and inspire others.
Yuvraj Singh’s Role in Abhishek Sharma & Shubman Gill’s Lives
Yuvraj Singh mentored Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill, inspiring fearless batting, mental toughness, and professionalism. He guided them during early training, encouraged aggression at the crease, and provided motivation and support, helping shape both their cricketing skills and personal growth.
Coaching and Mentorship
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Father’s guidance: Built his foundation with disciplined training.
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Yuvraj Singh: Played a big role during lockdown training sessions, shaping Abhishek’s fearless six-hitting style.
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Rahul Dravid: As India’s U-19 and NCA coach, influenced his professionalism and approach to pressure situations.
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Style today: Aggressive but controlled — a left-handed opener who can also bowl left-arm orthodox spin when needed.
Career Journey
Domestic Rise
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Made his Ranji Trophy debut for Punjab in October 2017.
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Represented India in the 2018 U-19 World Cup, which India won under Prithvi Shaw’s captaincy.
IPL Breakthrough
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2018: Bought by Delhi Daredevils (₹55 lakh).
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2019 onward: Moved to Sunrisers Hyderabad, gradually becoming their powerplay destroyer.
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2024–25: Breakout years — aggressive strike rates, consistent six-hitting, and a record 141-run innings in 2025.
International Cricket
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T20I debut: July 2024 vs Zimbabwe.
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Second match: Blasted a century — announcing himself on the big stage.
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2025: Century vs England (135 runs), cementing his place as India’s future opener.
Fight & Controversies
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Asia Cup 2025 (India vs Pakistan):
Abhishek and Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf had a fiery exchange after a bouncer battle.-
Abhishek later revealed he “didn’t like the unnecessary aggression” but preferred to respond with the bat.
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This showed both his competitive spirit and maturity.
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Overall, he has maintained a clean image — known more for his fearless stroke play than off-field drama.
Net Worth and Lifestyle
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Estimated Net Worth: ₹12–15 crore (as of 2025).
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Earnings Sources:
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IPL contract with Sunrisers Hyderabad: ₹14 crore (2025).
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BCCI central contract (annual retainer + match fees).
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Domestic cricket salaries.
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Brand endorsements and sponsorships.
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Lifestyle: Keeps a relatively private life, occasionally sharing fitness and cricket updates on social media.
Playing Style & Impact
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Batting: Left-handed opener, power hitter, fearless against pace.
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Bowling: Can chip in with left-arm orthodox spin.
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Strengths: Six-hitting ability, aggressive starts in powerplays, and confidence under pressure.
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Weaknesses: Still developing consistency in longer formats.
FAQs
Q1. Who is Abhishek Sharma’s coach?
His father, Rajkumar Sharma, has been his lifelong coach, with additional mentorship from Yuvraj Singh and Rahul Dravid.
Q2. What is Abhishek Sharma’s highest IPL score?
141 runs in IPL 2025 — the highest score by an Indian in IPL history.
Q3. Did Abhishek Sharma fight with Haris Rauf?
Yes, during the Asia Cup 2025. It was a verbal clash after a heated spell, but Abhishek downplayed it, saying he preferred to “respond with the bat.”
Q4. What is Abhishek Sharma’s net worth?
Estimated between ₹12–15 crore, mainly from IPL contracts and endorsements.
Q5. What is his role in Team India?
Primarily a left-handed opening batsman in T20Is, with the ability to bowl spin if needed.
Final Verdict — Why Abhishek Sharma Matters
Abhishek Sharma represents the new generation of fearless Indian cricketers — attacking from ball one, unafraid of reputations, and hungry for milestones. With his powerful batting, steady growth, and ability to stay calm even in fights, he’s shaping up as a long-term asset for Indian cricket and a fan favorite in the IPL.
