How many runs does Abhishek Sharma need to break Virat Kohli’s 2016 record?

Virat Kohli currently holds the record with 1614 runs in 2016. He was phenomenal that year, scoring four centuries and averaging 89.66. Abhishek now has the perfect chance to beat Kohli and set a new record in Indian cricket.

Avijit Das
Avijit Das

2 mins read
India opener Abhishek Sharma
i(x.com/bcci)

Be a winner today!

Get the latest cricket updates, Join our community

iconiconicon

India opener Abhishek Sharma was unstoppable in the 2025 calendar year. In 20 T20Is, he scored 825 runs at a blazing strike rate of 195.03. He set the tone at the top of the order, helping India win the Asia Cup 2025, beating Pakistan in the final, as well as series against England and Australia, and now he is on the verge of winning the five-match T20I series against South Africa.

Even in the IPL and SMAT, Abhishek kept up his form, scoring 1567 runs in T20S so far this year. His dream run in 2025 could turn legendary if he scores at least 47 runs in the fifth T20I against South Africa at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. With this many runs, he could surpass Virat Kohli for the most T20 runs by an Indian batter in a calendar year.

Kohli currently holds the record with 1614 runs in 2016. He was phenomenal that year, scoring four centuries and averaging 89.66. Abhishek now has the perfect chance to beat Kohli and set a new record in Indian cricket. He has got good starts in the series against South Africa, but has not been able to convert them. The fifth T20I is his best opportunity to get back into form and make history.

Also Read -Watch: Shikhar Dhawan opens up about his special bond with Rohit Sharma

Most Runs by an Indian Batter in a Single Year in T20S

Player Matches Runs Year
Virat Kohli 31 1614 2016
Abhishek Sharma 39 1568 2025

India Lead 2-1 in the Series

India currently has a 2-1 lead over South Africa in the five-match T20I series. The Suryakumar Yadav-led side won the first T20I, but the Proteas bounced back in Mullanpur. India returned to winning ways in Dharamsala, while the fourth T20I was called off due to heavy fog.

Ahead of the fifth T20I, the Indian team suffered a double blow as Axar Patel and Shubman Gill were ruled out of the series. Sanju Samson is expected to open the batting alongside Abhishek Sharma.

Tags:

Follow us on

Sports run in my veins and stories fuel my pen. With over 3 years in journalism — including stints at Sportskeeda, Cricreads, and Athlete Fortune — I’ve lived every word I’ve written. A Madrista at heart and a CR7 devotee, I fell in love with cricket because of one man — Virat Kohli. His passion for the game taught me to see cricket beyond the numbers. Currently writing for Cricket Winner, I cover match analyses, player stories, stats-based features, and cricket news updates. When I’m not writing, you’ll find me glued to tennis courts or boxing rings, living the sport from every angle.
WATCH NOW
Narendra Modi praised Jammu and Kashmir for its historic Ranji Trophy win in Mann Ki Baat.

38 mins ago

Watch: PM Narendra Modi hails J&K’s historic Ranji Trophy triumph in Mann Ki Baat

India's young sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi

2 hrs ago

Watch: Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s funny reaction after hosting birthday party with RR squad goes viral

IShowSpeed nearly entered card details on a fake site while trying to stream an IPL 2026 match.

5 hrs ago

Watch: IShowSpeed nearly falls for credit card scam during RCB vs SRH IPL 2026 match

CRICKET STORIES

It is not my job to announce the winner

Rohit Sharma on being asked if England were rightly awarded the World Cup title in 2019