The year 2025 was very successful for the Indian men’s cricket team in T20 International. India played a total of 21 T20 matches during the year and performed impressively, winning 16 matches. The team lost only three matches, while two did not yield any result. However, the top batsman is not from Team India but Austria’s Karanbir Singh who emerged as one of the biggest stories in T20 International cricket in 2025, delivering a record-breaking year with the bat. The right-handed opening batsman topped the global run charts, broke historical records and captured the attention of the entire cricket world, while powerhouse teams like India enjoyed a dominant season in the shortest format.
Who is Karanbir Singh?
Karanbir Singh is a right-handed batsman who represents Austria in international cricket. Born in India, he moved abroad and later became eligible to play for Austria. Over the years, he has emerged as one of the most consistent and explosive batsmen in associate cricket, known for his aggressive stroke play and power-hitting ability at the top of the order.
Karanbir Singh broke big records!
Karanbir Singh had a dream year in 2025, scoring 1,488 runs in 32 T20I matches. His account includes two centuries and 13 half-centuries with an average of 51.31 and an impressive strike rate of 174.85. He became the highest run-scorer in a calendar year in T20 International history.
In the process, Karanbir broke Pakistan star Mohammad Rizwan’s record of 1,326 runs scored in 29 T20I matches in 2021. Bahrain’s Faiz Ahmed remained third on the list with 1,251 runs in 40 matches, while Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav remained fourth with 1,164 runs in 2022.
A historic six-hitting achievement
One of the most surprising achievements of the year was Karanbir’s power-hitting. He hit 122 sixes in T20 Internationals in 2025, becoming the first batsman in history to hit more than 100 sixes in a calendar year in the format. Fiaz Ahmed was second in the list with 69 sixes.
Abhishek Sharma’s defining year
One of the biggest positives for India in 2025 was the emergence of opening batsman Abhishek Sharma. The young left-hander played a key role in India’s strong T20I innings and ended the year as the team’s leading run-scorer in the format.
Abhishek scored 895 runs in 21 T20I matches at an impressive average of 42.95. His run tally includes one century and five half-centuries, highlighting his growing consistency at the international level. His aggressive approach at the top of the order gave India a fast start and put pressure on the opposition bowlers early in the innings.
Global run-scoring chart: Abhishek at seventh place
Despite being India’s top scorer, Abhishek Sharma remained seventh in the global list of most runs scored in T20 Internationals in 2025. The list was topped by Austria’s Karanbir Singh, who enjoyed a historic year with the bat.
Karanbir’s overall T20I record
Thanks to his sensational form, Karanbir Singh has now become a well-known name in international cricket. In 41 T20I matches for Austria, he has scored 1,721 runs at an average of 47.80 and a strike rate of 169.22, with two centuries and 16 half-centuries to his name.
With results from a strong India team, the rise of Abhishek Sharma and a record-breaking year from Karanbir Singh, 2025 will be remembered as a remarkable chapter in T20 International cricket.
