If there is one batsman in India who is currently batting in frightening form, it is Punjab’s explosive left-handed opener Abhishek Sharma. His blistering batting in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2025 has not only stunned domestic cricket but has also raised hopes for Team India ahead of the upcoming T20 series against South Africa. Abhishek has smashed the most sixes in this year's tournament, underlining his dominance.

Abhishek Sharma storms through SMAT 2025

In just five matches of SMAT 2025, Abhishek has piled up 242 runs at an extraordinary strike rate of 275, scoring at an average of 48.40. Once he gets going, stopping him becomes nearly impossible. The real fireworks have come in his last three innings, where he has hammered 232 runs from just 80 balls. That is close to three runs per ball, a statistic that sums up how helpless bowlers have looked against him.

The carnage began with a monstrous knock against Bengal, where Abhishek smashed 148 off 52 balls, hitting 16 sixes and 8 fours. He followed it with a 19-ball 50 against Baroda, striking 4 sixes and 5 fours. His next innings was another assault: 34 off just 9 balls against Puducherry, including 3 sixes and 4 fours.

Leading Punjab as captain, Abhishek has been delivering with both performance and leadership. Punjab currently sits second on the points table with three wins from five matches.

India vs South Africa T20 series begins December 9

The five-match T20 series between India and South Africa will commence on December 9, with the remaining fixtures on December 11, 14, 17, and 19. The matches will be played in Cuttack, Mullanpur, Dharamsala, Lucknow, and Ahmedabad. This series will play a crucial role in India’s preparation for the T20 World Cup 2026. Suryakumar Yadav will captain the Indian side.