(Source X)
Abhishek Sharma, the rising star from SunRisers Hyderabad in IPL 2024, has garnered substantial acclaim for his stellar performances. His dynamic displays with the bat, including a noteworthy 484 runs across 16 innings at an average of 32.27 and an outstanding strike rate of 204.21, have captured the attention of fans nationwide.
Sharma’s contributions, which included three pivotal half-centuries with an unbeaten 75 as his highest score, played a key role in SRH’s journey to the IPL finals. Despite falling short against Kolkata Knight Riders in the title clash, Sharma’s form earned him a maiden call-up to the national squad for the recent five-match T20I series against Zimbabwe.
During his appearance on ‘Second Innings with Manjot Kalra,’ Abhishek Sharma shared that the support and appreciation he received from fans, both male and female, served as a strong source of motivation for him. He noted receiving numerous messages conveying good wishes and congratulations, which further fueled his determination.
“It’s not just female attention, I’ve also received a lot of attention from males. It felt really good. These moments are those which give motivation to any cricketer or celebrity. I also got such attention from them and received good luck and congratulatory messages,” Abhishek said.
Reflecting on his time under the leadership of Pat Cummins, who guided the Hyderabad-based team to the final, the 23-year-old all-rounder highlighted Cummins’ approachability and the sense of autonomy he granted to the players throughout the tournament.
“He had come after winning the World Cup for Australia. The aura of Pat Cummins was very evident within the team. He would talk to everyone, asking the new players about their families and such things. He gave everyone complete freedom,” Abhishek added.
Abhishek Sharma made his debut for Team India during the recent T20I series against Zimbabwe. After being dismissed for a duck in his first match, the left-handed batsman bounced back spectacularly in the subsequent game, scoring a remarkable century. Despite this impressive performance, he did not find a place in the squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series in Sri Lanka.
Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head forged a dynamic opening partnership for SRH in IPL 2024. Sharma observed that their aggressive batting styles naturally complemented each other, allowing them to confidently face any bowlers without feeling pressured.
“My plan was clear, I would my bowlers freely. I knew that Travis Head also plays with a similar approach as I had followed him for a long time. But I did not know that if I was hitting, he would also hit. We adapted very quickly and there was never a moment where we thought that a particular bowling was troubling us,” Abhishek further stated.
Abhishek Sharma commended Travis Head for his unwavering focus, highlighting Head’s dedication to his family, teammates, and cricket as his top priorities. Sharma noted that Head remains unfazed by external noise or distractions, allowing him to stay fully focused on his game.
