India Squad for Asia Cup 2025: Why Abhishek Sharma Is an Undroppable Opener
India’s Asia Cup 2025 squad announcement is around the corner, and Abhishek Sharma’s spot as opener is a certainty. With record-breaking IPL seasons, top ICC T20I ranking, and a successful partnership with Sanju Samson, he has become India’s most indispensable T20 batter.
Abhishek Sharma has emerged as India’s T20I batting spearhead ahead of the Asia Cup 2025.
The Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee is set to announce India’s squad for the Asia Cup 2025, scheduled in the UAE from September 9 to 28. Played in the T20I format, the tournament serves as a crucial build-up to next year’s T20 World Cup. Amid the debates over team balance, one name stands above contention — Abhishek Sharma.
Abhishek Sharma: From IPL Star to India’s T20I Spearhead
Abhishek Sharma’s journey from IPL sensation to India’s first-choice opener has been nothing short of spectacular. After a record-breaking IPL 2024 with Sunrisers Hyderabad, where he smashed 484 runs at a strike rate of 204.21, he followed it up with another explosive season in 2025 — scoring 439 runs with a highest score of 141 and a strike rate of 193.39.
His international career has mirrored that success. Despite a duck on debut against Zimbabwe in July 2024, he roared back with a 100 off 47 balls in the very next match. Since then, the 24-year-old has amassed 535 runs in 16 T20Is at a staggering strike rate of 193.85, the highest for any Indian with over 500 runs.
Currently, he holds the No.1 spot in the ICC T20I batting rankings, ahead of Tilak Varma (No.2) and Suryakumar Yadav (No.6), making him the youngest Indian to achieve this milestone.
Record Partnerships and Match-Winning Knocks
- Abhishek has built a formidable opening partnership with Sanju Samson. Since pairing up in October 2024, the duo have opened 12 consecutive matches, delivering 10 wins out of 12 for India.
- Abhishek Sharma in last 12 T20Is: 411 runs, SR 200.49 (2 fifties, 1 hundred)
- Sanju Samson in last 12 T20Is: 417 runs, SR 183.70 (3 hundreds)
- His standout innings came against England at the Wankhede, where he smashed 135 off 54 balls, the highest individual T20I score by an Indian, featuring 13 sixes.
The Competition: Gill and Jaiswal
Selectors also face a decision between Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal as the third opener. Both enjoyed strong Test series in England but have not featured in T20Is for over a year. Their recent T20I records pale in comparison to Abhishek’s consistency and impact in the powerplay.
Why Abhishek Sharma Is Non-Negotiable
- World No.1 T20I batter – Dominating across formats and conditions.
- Explosive strike rate – Nearly 194 in T20Is, 193+ in IPL.
- Big-match player – Two T20I hundreds, including a record-breaking 135 vs England.
- Reliable partnership – Consistent success with Sanju Samson at the top.
- Proven consistency – Back-to-back stellar IPL seasons and international form.
The Road Ahead
While questions remain about India’s middle order and bowling combination, the opening slot has no ambiguity. For India, Abhishek Sharma is not just a selection — he’s the foundation of their T20I batting future.
As the squad announcement looms, one thing is certain: Abhishek’s name is non-negotiable in India’s Asia Cup 2025 lineup.
