Abhishek Sharma Player Profile

Abhishek Sharma is a clean striker of the ball, known for his solid game against both pace and spin. He started his career in the middle order but made a smooth transition to the top three for Punjab in domestic cricket and for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL. Sharma is also a handy left-arm spinner, capable of surprising batters with his backspinning legcutter.

Early Career and Rise to Prominence

Abhishek Sharma first made a name for himself in age-group cricket. In the 2015-16 Vijay Merchant domestic Under-16 tournament, he scored an impressive 1200 runs in seven matches, leading as the top scorer. The following season, he captained India’s Under-19 team to victory in the U-19 Asia Cup. He was also an integral part of India’s U-19 World Cup-winning squad in 2018. Sharma played a crucial role in the quarter-final, scoring 50 runs and taking 2 for 11 against Bangladesh.

Abhishek Sharma’s IPL Journey

Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) picked up Abhishek Sharma in the 2018 IPL auction, just a week before India’s Under-19 squad won the World Cup. Sharma made a sensational debut, smashing 46 runs off 19 balls against Royal Challengers Bangalore. However, his momentum slowed down over the next few seasons.

In 2022, after joining Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2019, Sharma made a strong comeback. He was promoted to open the batting, and his performances improved significantly. He scored 426 runs in 14 matches at a strike rate of 133. In a memorable match against Gujarat Titans, he took 34 off 15 deliveries from Rashid Khan. His explosive batting cemented his place in the top order for SRH.

Domestic Success and Record-Breaking Performances

In 2023, Sharma continued to impress with his aggressive style. He scored 485 runs, including two centuries and three half-centuries, while striking at over 180. His contributions helped Punjab win their first Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 trophy. Earlier in the tournament, he made a blistering 112 off 51 balls against Andhra Pradesh, helping Punjab set a record total of 275/6.

In 2024, Sharma achieved another record-breaking feat in the IPL. He scored 63 runs off 23 balls, helping Sunrisers Hyderabad reach a total of 277/3, the highest in IPL history.

Abhishek Sharma’s First-Class Cricket Journey

Despite being primarily known as a limited-overs specialist, Sharma is also making strides in first-class cricket. On his Ranji Trophy debut in 2017, he scored a vital 94 from No. 8. In December 2022, he scored his first first-class century in a drawn match against Chandigarh, further showcasing his all-around abilities.

Abhishek Sharma IPL Factfile

• Abhishek Sharma was signed by Delhi Daredevils in 2018 as a 17-year-old, just before India’s U-19 World Cup victory.
• He made a memorable IPL debut, scoring 46 off 19 balls against RCB, but played only one season for Delhi.
• Sharma moved to Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2019 and was promoted to open in 2022, where he scored 426 runs in 14 matches at a strike rate of 133.12.
• In IPL 2024, alongside Travis Head, Sharma helped break records and take SRH to their first final since 2018.

Abhishek Sharma is undoubtedly a rising star in Indian cricket. Known for his aggressive batting, dynamic fielding, and ability to adapt in different formats, he is a player to watch in the future.