Abhishek Sharma scored 141 with 14 fours and 10 sixes in SRH's 8-wicket win over PBKS.
Abhishek Sharma’s parents, Rajkumar Sharma and Manju Sharma, were in the stands as their son hammered the highest individual score by an Indian in the IPL. Abhishek’s ton helped Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) defeat Punjab Kings (PBKS) on Saturday, April 12, in the ongoing IPL 2025.
Iyer led the way with 82 and other like Prabhsimran Singh (42), Priyansh Arya (36) and Marcus Stoinis (34*) contributed as well as PBKS scored 245/6 in 20 overs. While Harshal Patel took 4/42, Mohammad Shami went for 75 runs in his 4 overs.
The SRH response was brutal as Travis Head made 66 with 9 fours and 3 sixes, while Abhishek Sharma ruled the pitch, scoring his maiden IPL ton. He made 141 with 14 fours and 10 sixes as SRH won the match by 8 wickets and 9 balls to spare.
This was SRH’s first win after 4 losses on a trot. After the match between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Punjab Kings, Arshdeep Singh greeted Abhishek Sharma’s parents in the stands.
"Uncle ji, jehda aashirvaad enhu daindo o, oh wala deo mainu v…same chahida mainu (Uncle, give me the blessings you give to Abhishek… I want the same)," Arshdeep said.
"I told him there is no difference between him and Abhi for me. I have seen them playing together since they didn't even know how to lace their boots," Abhishek Sharma’s father, Raj Kumar Sharma, recounted their conversation with Times of India.
Raj Kumar Sharma had never watched his son play live from the stadium in the IPL. It was his first time cheering for his son in person.
"I am superstitious. I used to think he wouldn't do well if I was there. Even last night, when he was dismissed off a no-ball, for those 30 seconds, I started blaming myself. Then the sixes started landing among the crowd. I was on my feet throughout his knock,” Abhishek’s father stated.
Sunrisers made a strong start to the season with a 44-run victory over the Rajasthan Royals. They went on to lose four successive matches. Abhishek, discouraged and unable to recover his form, asked his mother to join him. Before Saturday, Abhishek had only scored 51 runs in five games.
"He booked the tickets. I was a bit hesitant to go. But then he called and convinced me to fly to Hyderabad," Raj Kumar Sharma recalled.
At the post-match presentation, the 24-year-old left-hander mentioned how the entire Sunrisers' management was waiting for his family to arrive from Amritsar.
"I have been waiting for them. My whole team was waiting for my parents because they have been lucky for SRH," Abhishek said.
Manju Sharma, Abhishek's mother, believes the Sunrisers' fortunes will improve following their victory.
"Sab ko Khushi hai, ma ko bhi Khushi hai, pure Hyderabad ko Khushi hai ki hum match jeete hai (Everyone is happy, I am happy too. The entire Hyderabad is celebrating that we won the match). "Thoda stop lag gaya tha lekin ab nahi lagega, ab continue chalega (There was a lean patch, but now the team will continue to do well),” Abhishek’s mother Manju said in a video shared by IPL.
Abhishek Sharma's father was also pleasantly surprised that his son continued to show maturity after he reached his century and didn’t throw his wicket away.
He said, "The great thing about the knock was he didn't throw away his wicket after scoring his century. I was nervous when he was on 98, praying he would just take a single and complete his century."