Abhishek slammed 141 off 55 balls to help SRH chase down the daunting target of 246 in 18.3 overs.
The southpaw, who wasn't in the best of form coming into the contest, slammed 141 off just 55 balls with 14 boundaries and 10 sixes to help SRH chase down the daunting target of 246 in 18.3 overs.
Abhishek notched up the three-figure mark in just 40 balls – the sixth fastest in the history of the IPL. He also broke the record for the highest score by an Indian in the tournament.
After pulling off the second highest run-chase in the history of IPL, Abhishek Sharma thanked skipper Pat Cummins and the team for helping him turnaround his form. The swashbuckling left-hander further stated that he knew he had something in him to help SRH get back to winning ways.
"I mean, it's not easy for any player—going through a rough patch in form and then suddenly trying to shift your mindset. But special credit to the team and the captain, because the atmosphere within the group was really positive and simple. The message to all the batters was clear and straightforward, even when things weren’t going our way. Deep down, I knew I had something in me to help us get back on the winning track," Abhishek said.
He was waiting for his parents to be with him and the team as well, as they're a lucky charm for the side.
"I’ve been waiting for them—and so has the whole team. We were all looking forward to having my parents and family here because they’ve always been kind of a lucky charm for SRH and the Orange Army. We were just waiting for them to arrive and bless us with their presence—and here they are. Thank you so much for being here," he added.
Abhishek said that the knock was special for him as he was thinking about how to end SRH’s losing streak in the tournament. Sunrisers had lost four games on the bounce after winning their tournament opener.
"This one’s very special for me. I was thinking about how we had to break that losing streak. It wasn’t easy for any of us—losing four matches in a row is tough, especially as a player, as a youngster, and as a team. But the atmosphere in the camp was incredible. We never really spoke about the losses. We stayed positive and believed that it would just take one good innings, one special day, for things to turn around," he remarked.
Abhishek Sharma also thanked his mentored Yuvraj Singh and India’s T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav for supporting him and being in touch during the lean patch.
"I think a special mention goes to Yuvi Paji (Yuvraj Singh) as well. I've been in touch with him, and I really appreciate his support. I also want to thank Mr. Suryakumar Yadav. He’s been in constant touch with me and has been there whenever I needed him. He knew this moment was coming soon, so a big thanks to him as well," he concluded.