India's stylish opener Abhishek Sharma continued his fine form with an impressive half-century against Bangladesh in the Asia Cup 2025 Super Four clash at the Dubai International Stadium. His 37-ball 75
not only anchored India’s innings but also saw him surpass his mentor Yuvraj Singh in a significant record.
The southpaw reached his fifty in just 25 balls, recording the fifth time in his career that he has scored a half-century in 25 or fewer deliveries. With this feat, he moved past Yuvraj, who had four such innings to his name. Among Indians, only Suryakumar Yadav (seven) and Rohit Sharma (six) now have more.
Abhishek breaks Sanath Jayasuriya’s long-standing record
Abhishek’s knock also raised his tally of sixes in this Asia Cup to 16, the most ever in a single edition of the tournament. He broke Sanath Jayasuriya’s long-standing record of 14 sixes in 2008. Already India’s No. 1-ranked T20I batter, he now stands as the only player with over 200 runs in this Asia Cup.
Meanwhile, in the game, Bangladesh’s bowlers began strongly with the new ball, swinging it both ways and troubling the openers in the first three overs. Abhishek himself was given a life when stand-in skipper and wicketkeeper Jaker Ali dropped a chance off Tanzim Hasan Sakib. Following this, Abhishek and Shubman Gill took the team to 72 in the power play. Gill’s 29 off 19 kept the momentum going, but it was his partner's heroics that put the Men in Blue in the driver's seat.
The youngster hammered Mohammad Saifuddin and Mustafizur Rahman to all parts of the ground. He brought up his fifty in the seventh over and continued in the same manner, lifting India to 112 for 2 in just over 11 overs. His dismissal, however, came against the run of play with a sharp piece of fielding by Rishad Hossain, which led to a run-out.
Skiper Suryakumar fell cheaply, Shivam Dube and Tilak Varma also failed to contribute. Hardik Pandya’s 38 off 29 provided some hope, as India managed 168 for 6 in their 20 overs.
