Abhishek Sharma climbs to World No. 2 in T20I batting
India’s explosive opener Abhishek Sharma has made another big leap up the ICC T20I batting charts. Following his match-turning knock in the first T20I against Afghanistan, Sharma has moved up one place to become the world’s No. 2 T20I batter.
The rise means he has now gone past Pakistan’s Sahibzada Farhan, who drops to third in the latest rankings issued on Wednesday, September 16, 2026.
How the ranking jump happened
Sharma’s ascent was powered by his 82-run innings in the series opener against Afghanistan. That knock, described as “blistering” in ICC notes, set the tone for India’s strong start to the three-match T20I series.
He has since added 39 in the second T20I, taking his tally to 121 runs across the first two games of the series. The consistency at the top has been rewarded with a one-place gain in the rankings.
India now hold top two T20I batting spots
With Sharma at No. 2 and Ishan Kishan still at No. 1, India now occupy the top two positions in the ICC T20I batting rankings.
Kishan leads the chart with 913 rating points. Sharma, on 862 points, is 51 points behind his teammate. Farhan, meanwhile, has slipped to third with 848 points.
It’s a rare sight in T20Is: one nation controlling both the summit and the runner-up spot in the batting standings.
Sanju Samson also makes ground
India’s dominance in the update isn’t limited to the top two. Wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson has climbed four places to 30th after a fine half-century in the second T20I against Afghanistan.
The rise underlines how India’s middle order is also finding rhythm alongside the firepower at the top.
What this means for Abhishek
For Abhishek, this is a return to the upper end of the T20I batting ladder. He had previously reached No. 1 in September 2025, and this latest jump signals he is back among the elite T20 batters in the world.
With a three-match series already leaning India’s way after a 2-0 lead, there is still one T20I left where he can add to his tally and potentially narrow the gap to Kishan further.
FAQs
Who is now the No. 2 T20I batter in the world?
Abhishek Sharma of India is the new No. 2 T20I batter, having moved up one place in the latest ICC rankings.
Which player did Abhishek Sharma overtake?
He has surpassed Pakistan’s Sahibzada Farhan, who has dropped to third in the T20I batting rankings.
Who remains the No. 1 T20I batter?
India’s Ishan Kishan stays at No. 1 with 913 rating points, 51 points ahead of Abhishek Sharma.
What performance triggered Abhishek’s rise?
His 82-run innings in the first T20I against Afghanistan, followed by 39 in the second match, helped him gain one ranking spot.
