Watch: Star Indian cricketer celebrates Lohri, flies kites with singer AP Dhillon ahead of IND vs NZ 2026 T20Is
Taking a short break from his cricketing commitments, Abhishek made the most of the occasion by unwinding with loved ones and celebrating Lohri in a relaxed setting. The festivities offered a welcome pause for the star batter as he balanced professional responsibilities with cultural traditions.
World No. 1 T20I batter Abhishek Sharma celebrated the festival of Lohri on Tuesday, January 13, by flying kites with popular Indian singer AP Dhillon in Amritsar. The left-handed opener enjoyed the festive vibes in his hometown, spending time with family and friends while taking part in traditional celebrations.
The 25-year-old recently represented Punjab in the group stage of the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025–26. Featuring in three matches, Abhishek contributed with both bat and ball, scoring 86 runs and picking up three wickets for his side.
Taking a short break from his cricketing commitments, Abhishek made the most of the occasion by unwinding with loved ones and celebrating Lohri in a relaxed setting. The festivities offered a welcome pause for the star batter as he balanced professional responsibilities with cultural traditions.
Watch the video here:
Upcoming International Assignment for Abhishek Sharma
World No. 1 T20I batter Abhishek Sharma is set to return to international action in India’s upcoming five-match home T20I series against New Zealand, which begins on Wednesday, January 21, in Nagpur. The series will mark another important assignment for the in-form opener, who has quickly established himself as a key figure in India’s shortest-format setup.
However, the Men in Blue will be without left-hander Tilak Varma for the first three matches of the series. Tilak has been ruled out after undergoing surgery for an abdominal issue, and the BCCI is yet to announce a replacement. He is expected to be available for the final two games of the series.
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Abhishek Sharma’s Rise in T20I Cricket
Abhishek made his T20I debut for India against Zimbabwe in July 2024 but had a forgettable start, falling for a four-ball duck. The setback proved short-lived, as the left-hander responded emphatically in the very next match, smashing a sensational 100 off just 47 deliveries to announce himself on the international stage.
Since then, the 25-year-old has been a consistent run-scorer for India in T20Is. In 33 matches, Abhishek has accumulated 1,115 runs in 32 innings at an impressive average of 35.96 and a staggering strike rate of 188.02. His tally includes six half-centuries and two centuries, performances that have propelled him to the top of the ICC T20I batting rankings with 908 rating points.
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India Squad for New Zealand T20I Series
The Indian squad for the five-match series features a blend of experience and young talent. Suryakumar Yadav will lead the side, with Axar Patel named as vice-captain. The squad reads: Suryakumar Yadav (C), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (WK), Tilak Varma (available for the last two games), Ishan Kishan (WK), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel (VC), Rinku Singh, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, and Varun Chakaravarthy.
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