India’s fast starter Abhishek Sharma Reclaims No 1 T20I Ranking batting table. He earned the top spot after a huge hundred versus New Zealand in the third T20I.
That run, scored in Wellington on October 27, 2026, turned into the headline of the day. Sharma struck 113 runs from 38 balls. India used that to win by six wickets, then sealed a 3–0 lead in the five-match series.
The next rankings update came out on October 28. In that list, Abhishek jumped above teammate Ishan Kishan. The change followed his big showing and showed how one strong international knock can swing the race for places among the top T20 batters worldwide.
For fans, the No. 1 return means more than one number on a list. It also points to his attacking approach, his rising role in India’s T20I team, and how he can make a tough chase look easy.
Abhishek Sharma ICC T20I ranking update (latest)
Abhishek Sharma
World number 1
ICC Men’s T20I batting rankings
897 points
Rank set on October 27, 2026
- Previous number 1: Ishan Kishan
- New number 2: Sahibzada Farhan
- New number 3: Ishan Kishan
- Source: ICC Men’s T20I batting rankings.
Abhishek is back at the top. He had slipped down for a short time. In July 2026, Ishan Kishan passed him. That happened after strong shows, including in India’s T20I stretch in Ireland.
Now, Abhishek has moved up again. His most recent hundred versus New Zealand helped him reclaim first place.
These rankings consider form over a period, not just one match. Still, a big score against strong international teams can swing things. This is more noticeable in a well watched series.
How Abhishek Sharma Went Back to No. 1
Abhishek climbed back to the No 1 spot after a strong outing in the third T20I against New Zealand. India could have ended the series there, but New Zealand still needed a good effort to keep the match alive. The Abhishek Sharma Reclaims No 1 T20I Ranking mark pointed to his solid work and his rising influence in T20 cricket at the international level.
New Zealand made 198 for 3 in 20 overs. Daryl Mitchell stayed unbeaten on 89. India had to chase a tough score, but Abhishek and his opening mate Vaibhav Sooryavanshi started fast and played with real intent.
Abhishek got to 50 off 15 balls. He reached his hundred in 35 deliveries. After that, he kept going and ended with 113 from 38 balls, including nine fours and 11 sixes. His knock steadied the innings and kept the New Zealand attack under pressure from start to finish.
India chased 199 for 4 in 13.2 overs. They won by six wickets. With that result, India took the five match series 3–0. Abhishek’s innings also stood out as one of the key moments of the tour.
Latest ICC Men’s T20I batting rankings
The new update changed the positions for a number of top batters. Abhishek is now back at number one. Sahibzada Farhan from Pakistan climbed to second. Ishan Kishan slipped to third.
| Rank | Player | Team | Rating points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Abhishek Sharma | India | 897 |
| 2 | Sahibzada Farhan | Pakistan | 883 |
| 3 | Ishan Kishan | India | 866 |
| 4 | Harry Brook | England | 793 |
| 5 | Jos Buttler | England | 789 |
Abhishek is 14 rating points ahead of Farhan. Even if Abhishek sits on top right now, the order may flip once these players keep showing up for international games. To stay first, he will need steady results again and again.
Ishan Kishan jumping to third highlights how fast things can move. Earlier this year, he went ahead of Abhishek. Then he missed the second and third T20Is versus New Zealand because of an injury.
Why Abhishek Sharma Works So Well in T20
Abhishek has climbed fast in T20 because he can score early and keep pressure on the other side right away. In T20, teams need quick runs to set a chase or push a tough total, and his approach fits that need.
- Taking charge in the powerplay
From the first overs, Abhishek hunts for scoring chances. Instead of waiting for the bowlers to find a rhythm, he goes after balls that sit in his hitting zone. That often forces captains to rethink their field.
- Hitting big boundaries
His six-hitting was clear in the game versus New Zealand. Scoring 11 sixes showed he can clear the ropes with ease. When a batter finds that, the team can lift the rate without depending only on singles and twos.
- Staying on the gas after fifty
Once Abhishek crossed his half-century, he did not ease off. He kept attacking and turned his start into a century. It shows that intent matters, especially when you still need to manage risk.
- Staying calm when the chase gets tight
Chasing 199 can flip quickly if you throw away good balls. Abhishek took the challenge with a positive mindset. His innings helped India keep the required rate in check, and they wrapped up the win with comfort.
These points are why the Abhishek Sharma Reclaims No 1 T20I Ranking headline is getting notice from cricket fans. His rank comes from more than one knock. It also highlights his impact as a T20 batter.
India’s Strong Opening Stands Up Again
Abhishek was not alone in Wellington. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, another young opener, made 45 off 19 balls. His quick runs backed up the early push and limited New Zealand’s chances to settle.
Abhishek and Sooryavanshi helped India reach 118 runs in the powerplay without losing a wicket. That became a new mark for the best powerplay total in men’s T20 internationals. Their partnership grew to 133, before Sooryavanshi got out.
The fast start mattered because it eased pressure on the middle order. Since the target dropped early, India did not have to gamble later in the chase.
Link the words Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Latest News to your related article about the young batter. This connects two closely related stories and gives readers another useful page to explore.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why did Abhishek Sharma take back the No. 1 spot in T20Is?
Abhishek got back to first place after making 113 runs off 38 balls versus New Zealand in the third T20I. India chased the target and won by six wickets. That knock also affected the newest ICC rankings.
- What rating points does Abhishek Sharma have?
Abhishek Sharma had 897 rating points in the ICC Men’s T20I batting list dated October 27, 2026.
- Who was ranked No. 1 before Abhishek Sharma?
Ishan Kishan was on top after he passed Abhishek in July 2026. Then the latest update shifted things again. Abhishek moved up to first, while Kishan went to third.
- How many runs did Abhishek score against New Zealand?
He made 113 runs from 38 balls. The innings included nine fours and 11 sixes. He also completed his century on 35 balls.
- What was India’s result in the third T20I vs New Zealand?
India won by six wickets. New Zealand made 198/3, and India finished the chase in 13.2 overs. With that win, India took a 3–0 lead and the series ended early.
Conclusion
The report about Abhishek Sharma reclaiming No 1 in T20Is adds another high point to his career. His fast 35-ball century against New Zealand played a big role in India’s strong win. He returned to the top of the ICC Men’s T20I batting rankings at 897 points.
Abhishek’s aggressive style, his self belief, and his quick scoring matter a lot in T20 cricket. Still, he will need to keep the same level over time. He also has to hold his place as other top batters push for the top spot. As the India vs New Zealand series continues, people will keep an eye on whether he can back up that display.
