11 March,2026 08:27 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Abhishek Sharma (Pic: File Pic)
Team India's swashbuckling batsman Abhishek Sharma has retained the top position in the latest ICC Men's T20I rankings, which were updated by the International Cricket Council (ICC).
The latest ICC T20I rankings were updated after the "Men in Blue" clinched the shortest format world title. In the title clash of the T20 World Cup 2026 against New Zealand, Team India emerged victorious by 96 runs at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. They won back-to-back titles and became the first team to win three Men's T20 World Cup titles in the tournament's history.
Abhishek, who struggled to find himself among the runs in the entire tournament, played a crucial role in the final. He registered three consecutive ducks in the initial phase of the tournament.
Later in the final, the left-handed batsman scored 52 runs off 21 deliveries, laced with six boundaries and three maximums. With this, the "Men in Blue" received a strong start to their innings against the "Black Caps".
After registering a stunning half-century, the 25-year-old cricketer retained the top rankings with 875 rating points.
His teammate Ishan Kishan is placed in the second spot. With 871 rating points, Kishan has moved two places up on the list.
The left-handed batter Kishan earned a new career-high rating, while New Zealand's Tim Seifert (up four places to sixth) and England's Jacob Bethell (up 17 rungs to 16th) also improved to the best marks of their career following some dominant knocks during the T20 World Cup.
Batting first in the final, the "Men in Blue" posted a mammoth total of 256 runs for the loss of five wickets in 20 overs. Sanju Samson, Abhishek, and Ishan smashed half-centuries. Facing 46 balls, Samson scored 89 runs with the help of five boundaries and eight maximums. Abhishek also garnered 52 runs in 21 balls, including six boundaries and three maximums. Ishan smashed 54 runs off 25 deliveries, laced with four boundaries and four maximums. Later, burly all-rounder Shivam Dube also played a fiery cameo of an unbeaten 26 runs in just eight deliveries.
Chasing a target of 256, New Zealand was bowled out for 159 runs in 19 overs. Team India's lead pacer Jasprit Bumrah returned with figures of four for 15 in four overs. Hardik Pandya, Varun Chakaravarthy, and Abhishek also chipped in with one wicket each.
(With ANI Inputs)
