Indian cricket has thrived on stories that blend performance with personality, and Abhishek Sharma’s rise adds another chapter. His 141 off 55 balls was not just an exhibition of power-hitting; it had an emotional meaning tied to a unique ‘chit celebration’ that caught fans’ attention. The innings, which came against Punjab Kings during IPL 2025, not only gave Sunrisers Hyderabad an eight-wicket victory but also revealed the personal side of Sharma’s approach.
The celebration, as Abhishek later explained, traced back to a conversation with Shikhar Dhawan. He explained that Dhawan invited him home for a chat on the importance of manifestation and journaling. Dhawan guided him to visualise success as if he had already achieved it. Taking that advice to heart, he took that advice to heart and slipped a small note into his pocket before the match, scribbling, ‘This one is for Orange Army.’ As he went on to score a century, the note became part of his celebration, symbolising both belief and execution.
"Shikhar Dhawan had told me that manifestation is important, just manifest that you have already done it. He invited me to his home to have this conversation. He made me start writing in a diary. One thing is visualising that 'I will do it', and the other is to visualise that 'I am doing it'. 'I am the best player of India, I have won many matches for the team, ' he made me write this," stated Abhishek during an appearance on Breakfast with Champions.
"I do journaling before every game in the morning. So instead of that, I thought of writing on a chit. I wrote 'This one is for Orange Army'. I kept it in my pocket. When I got to my fifties, I did not remember that I had it. I kept playing, and the moment I made a hundred and celebrated, I remembered it and took the chit out," he added.
Why Abhishek Sharma is redefining T20 batting?
Form in T20 cricket can be fleeting, yet Abhishek Sharma has stretched his into something that feels defining. His performances in the last 15 months since his debut in 2024 speak of a batter who is rewriting standards. The Indian opener's performance in the 2025 Asia Cup alone reinforced his standing. He scored 314 runs at a strike rate of 200.00 and achieved a record 931 rating points in the ICC Men’s T20I Batter Rankings. These numbers, combined with his fearless batting style, support the claim that he is the finest T20I batter right now.
Even setbacks, like his low score in the Asia Cup final, fade when compared to his overall impact. He continues to dominate powerplays, loft bowlers with confidence, and extend pressure throughout innings. Mentors like Yuvraj Singh have shaped his temperament, instilling the belief to thrive under pressure and attack bowlers across conditions. That influence, combined with his natural ability, ensures that Sharma remains adaptable against varied bowling attacks.
For now, Abhishek stands as both a product of inspiration and an example of modern batting dominance, showing how vision, preparation, and talent can work together. His story feels like a reminder of how influence from senior figures, confidence in one’s process, and sheer performance can merge to create something exceptional.
