Abhishek Sharma has climbed to No.2 in the T20I rankings. Courtesy: PTI

Abhishek Sharma overtakes Sahibzada Farhan, closes in on Ishan Kishan for No.1 spot

Abhishek Sharma has moved to No.2 in the ICC T20I batting rankings after scoring 121 runs in India's first two T20Is against Afghanistan. He is now just 51 rating points behind No.1 Ishan Kishan, while Sanju Samson has climbed to No.30.

by · India Today

In Short

  • Abhishek Sharma is currently No.2 in the ICC T20I rankings for batters
  • He smashed 82 off 32 balls in the series opener against Afghanistan
  • Sanju Samson climbed four places to No.30 after his 57 off 22 balls

Abhishek Sharma has climbed to second place in the latest ICC T20I batting rankings after a strong start to India’s ongoing series against Afghanistan. The left-handed opener gained one spot to move past Pakistan’s Sahibzada Farhan, with only fellow India batter Ishan Kishan now ahead of him.

Abhishek’s rise comes on the back of an explosive start to the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan. In the opening match in New Delhi, he smashed 82 off just 32 balls, helping India chase down Afghanistan’s 156 with seven wickets and 38 balls to spare. His innings helped India seal a seven-wicket win.

He continued his positive run in the second T20I, scoring 39 off 19 balls as India again won by seven wickets to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series. Abhishek’s two innings have given him 121 runs in the series so far, with India’s third and final match against Afghanistan still to be played. Sanju Samson also returned to form, hitting 57 off 22 balls in the second T20I.

ABHISHEK CLOSES GAP ON ISHAN KISHAN

The latest rankings have placed Ishan Kishan at No.1, with Abhishek moving into second and Farhan dropping to third. Abhishek is now 51 rating points behind Kishan, keeping the Indian duo at the top of the T20I batting chart.

Kishan’s position at the top means India currently occupy the first two spots in the T20I batting rankings. Abhishek had previously been ranked No.1 in the format, while Kishan has also enjoyed a strong run recently. The ICC had earlier recorded an Indian 1-2 at the top of the rankings in March, with Abhishek and Kishan occupying the leading spots.

Sanju Samson has also made significant progress in the latest update. His 57 in the second T20I helped him climb four places to 30th in the batting rankings. The knock came as India chased down Afghanistan’s 159 in just 14.5 overs, sealing the series with a match to spare.

With one T20I still remaining in the Afghanistan series, Abhishek has another opportunity to close the gap on Kishan. His performances in the opening two matches have already made a significant impact on the latest ICC rankings.

- Ends