IND vs UAE: 'He is currently the World number one batter for...': Not Shubman Gill or Sanju Samson, India captain Suryakumar Yadav rates this batter as world's best

India vs United Arab Emirates, Asia Cup 2025: It was a cakewalk for India in their opening encounter of the T20 Asia Cup 2025. UAE were no match for the Indian side as the game ended in just 106 balls. After UAE were bowled out for a mere 57, their lowest T20I total, India chased down the target in just 4.3 overs. As India won the game by nine wickets, Suryakumar lauded young opener Abhishek Sharma for his fearless approach from ball one and rated him as world’s no.1 batter.

Abhishek hit left-arm spinner Haider Ali for a six off the first ball of the innings and followed it up with a boundary. He hit two more sixes and a four before losing his wicket to Junaid Siddique in the fourth over.

“He is currently the World number one batter for a reason, he sets the tone, irrespective of if we chase 200 or 50, unbelievable from him,” Suryakumar said in the post-match presentation. 

3 Indians in top 10 of ICC Men’s T20I batter rankings

Currently, Abhishek is ranked first on ICC T20I batter rankings with 829 rating points. The second spot belongs to his teammate Tilak Varma with 804 rating points. Another Indian in top 10 is captain Suryakumar with 739 rating points.

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Same approach after Abhishek’s departure

After Abhishek departed for a cameo, Suryakumar walked in to bat. He started his innings with a six off Siddique. In the next over, Gill finished the run chase with a boundary towards long-on. Gill remained unbeaten for 20 off nine deliveries.

Abhishek equals rare feat

Abhishek also joined the rare list of Indian openers to hit a six off the first ball of a T20I innings. The first to achieve the feat is former captain Rohit Sharma against England's Adil Rashid in Ahmedabad in 2021. Last year, Yashasvi Jaiswal hit Zimbabwe's Sikandar Raza for a six in Harare. Earlier this year, Sanju Samson gave the same treatment to England pacer Jofra Archer at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.

Abhishek’s run in 2025 so far

In the calendar year, Abhishek has played 20 T20s (T20Is and the IPL). From 19 innings, he has scored 748 runs at an average of 39.36, including two centuries and three half-centuries. He has scored at a strike rate of 202.16 this year.