Abhishek Sharma of Sunrisers Hyderabad struck the quickest fifty in the history of the team with a breathtaking exhibition of power hitting. In just 16 balls, he reached his half-century, helping his team to a decisive 277/3 against the Mumbai Indians in the seventh game of the present Indian Premier League (IPL).
His incredible 63 off 23 deliveries, which included seven sixes and three boundaries, was a major factor in SRH scoring the highest-ever IPL total. The youthful all-rounder gave credit for his outstanding innings to a conversation he had with West Indies batting legend Brian Lara after the game.
Having finished as the second-highest scorer in the 2023–24 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy with 485 runs at a strike rate of 192, Abhishek has been in excellent form in recent seasons. He did not have many opportunity to bat further up the order, despite having a respectable IPL 2023. But batting at No. 3 this season, he has seized the chance with both hands.
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If it was within my comfort zone, Lara advised me to go for it. Abhishek Sharma
“I said in the previous interview too that the domestic season gives us a lot of confidence,” Abhishek remarked in the post-match presentation following his award as Player of the Match. To the hitters, I say this: just go out there and express yourself. The strategy was to go for the kill. I loved batting with Head since he is one of my favourite players and I think highly of him.”
“If it fell inside my zone, he advised me to go for it. Regardless of the position I play, I am content to be getting my opportunities. The conversation I had with Brian Lara last night was really beneficial. I’d rather try my best at bowling as well as batting during practice’, he continued.
The left-hander’s innings, which included a scorching 68-run partnership with Head and an additional 48 runs in just 18 balls with Aiden Markram (42), laid the groundwork for SRH’s massive total. Heinrich Klaasen’s explosive 80* from 34 balls helped SRH achieve the highest IPL total of 277/3. Ishan Kishan (34) Tilak Varma (64) and Tim David (42*) all had heroic knocks, but MI could only muster 246/5, losing by 31 runs. For SRH, captain Pat Cummins and Jaydev Unadkat smiled with the ball.
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