Abhishek Sharma played a key role with the bat in Sunrisers Hyderabad’s comprehensive six-wicket victory over Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on Friday (April 6).
Chasing 166 to win, SRH got off to a flying start as Abhishek took the CSK attack to the cleaners with his blazing cameo of 12-ball 37. The southpaw’s knock was studded with 3 fours and 4 sixes.
Abhishek added 46 runs for the opening wicket with Travis Head (31 off 24) in just 2.4 overs before getting out. His blitz at the top set the tone for a successful chase.
After Sharma’s dismissal, Aiden Markram returned with a measured half-century (50 off 36) to take SRH over the line with 11 deliveries to spare.
Following the game, Abhishek Sharma attributed his dazzling display to the extensive groundwork he underwent prior to the IPL. The young left-hander acknowledged the invaluable assistance he received from former batting maestros Brian Lara and Yuvraj Singh.
"It is all the hardwork i have put before this. Special thanks to my dad, Yuvi paaji and Brian Lara," Abhishek, who was adjudged Player-of-the-Match, said at the post-match presentation.
"While bowling, we felt it was a slow wicket. So we wanted to take the powerplay on. We had a chance to prepare well before the IPL. We knew it will be slow but not if we take on the bowler. Because it would be difficult for the bowler as well," he added.
Asked which one he would prefer between high strike rate and big runs, Sharma said, "Big scores matter, but I went with the flow today. Hopefully I will get out last next time."
SRH skipper Pat Cummins lauded Abhishek Sharma by saying that he would not be wanting to bowl to him. "I would not be wanting to be bowling to him."
Reflecting on the match, the Australia said: "Different soil, slowed up as the game went on. Still a fantastic game. We have got plenty of fast bowlers. Shivam was hitting the spinners. So we took a chance with the fast bowlers bowling cutters."
Commenting on the home crowd, Cummins stated, "The crowd is crazy tonight, especially when MS (Dhoni) walked out. We love playing here, home conditions."
On the other hand, CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad admitted that his side could not capitalize in the last five overs. "It was a slow pitch. At the back end they bowled well. We couldn't capitalise in the last five overs. We were in a good situation halfway but they bowled well at the back.
"Black soil pitch, so we expected the slowness. As the ball got older, it got slower. They used the conditions well - big boundary one end. We did not bowl well in the powerplay but did well to drag the game.
"170-175 is par, if we would have had a good powerplay with the ball, we could have had the game. There was slight dew at the later stage. Moeen was spinning the ball in the 15th-16th over, so not much of a difference."
(With PTI Inputs)
