The latest episode of the Abhishek Sharma carnage in the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) was unveiled in Hyderabad on Friday (5 April), as the youngster played yet another remarkable knock. Having been given the chance to open the innings for the first time this season, owing to Mayank Agarwal’s unavailability, Abhishek struck a 12-ball 37 against Chennai Super Kings.
Although the target was only 166 runs, the Sunrisers Hyderabad all-rounder fired all cylinders from the beginning, and took only two overs to get on cruise control. In the second over of the innings, bowled by Mukesh Choudhary, Abhishek struck a couple of sixes and as many fours, accumulating 27 runs in that over.
Whilst receiving the Player of the Match award after the match, Abhishek thanked three people: “Special thanks to my dad, Yuvi paaji (Yuvraj Singh and Brian Lara.”
On being asked about his fearless batting approach, he elaborated:
In the bowling, we felt it was a bit slow wicket. So we wanted to take the powerplay on. We knew we could go with the flow after that. We had a chance to prepare well before the IPL. We knew it would be slow but not if we took on the bowler, because it would be difficult for the bowler as well. Big scores do matter, but I went with the flow today. Hopefully, I will get out last next time.Abhishek Sharma
The 23-year-old has had an incredible start to the 2024 campaign. He struck a 19-ball 32 against Kolkata Knight Riders in Hyderabad’s first match, and since then, has scored a 23-ball 63 against Mumbai Indians and a 20-ball 29 against Gujarat Titans.
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