Abhishek Sharma’s blistering knock against Mumbai Indians on Wednesday night has reignited hopes for Sunrisers Hyderabad. The 23-year-old left-hander smashed the fastest fifty for SRH, a 16-ball masterpiece that earned him the player of the match award.
Sharma’s performance is a testament to SRH’s persistence with domestic talent. Despite inconsistent returns since joining the franchise in 2019, the team has remained steadfast in their support for Sharma, along with other promising players like Abdul Samad, Rahul Tripathi, and Mayank Markande.
This season, Sharma’s improved form is evident. He was the second-highest scorer for Punjab in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy T20, amassing 485 runs with a strike rate of 192. His two centuries and three fifties in 10 outings showcased his potential.
Batting at No. 3 instead of opening has seemingly benefited Sharma, allowing him to thrive alongside Travis Head. “The domestic season gives us a lot of confidence,” Sharma said. “I enjoyed batting with Head. He’s one of my favorite batters. He told me to go for it if it was in my zone.”
Sharma’s confidence was further boosted by a conversation with Brian Lara, SRH’s former batting coach and head coach. Despite Sharma’s ordinary performances in previous seasons, Lara consistently praised his abilities.
In 2022, Sharma scored 426 runs in 14 matches at an average of 30.43 and a strike rate of 133. In 2023, he batted down the order and made 226 runs in 11 matches.
“I had a chance to talk to Brian Lara last night and that helped me massively,” Sharma revealed. “He told me to back myself and play my natural game.”
Sharma’s performance against Mumbai Indians is a sign of things to come for SRH. With his newfound confidence and improved form, he is poised to play a pivotal role in the team’s success this season.
