NEW DELHI: Young batting star Abhishek Sharma slammed 66 as Sunrisers Hyderabad strolled to a four-wicket victory over Punjab Kings on Sunday.
Hyderabad, who are among the top four teams that have gone through to playoffs, chased down 215 with five balls remaining at home.
Abhishek took only 21 balls and hit five fours and six sixes in his quickfire innings of just 28 balls before taking off in the chase.
He shared an attacking stand of 72 runs with Rahul Tripathi (33) before Nitish Kumar Reddy and Heinrich Klaasen anchored the innings and ensured that they got the win.
After being awarded Man of the Match, Abhishek said he had learned a lot while working with batting legend Brian Lara.
“I have been doing some work with him. He is just keeping in touch. That’s what’s helping me now,” mentioned Abhishek.
“So it’s good days for me and I should use it for my team. I wanted to contribute as the target was big today. In my Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy interview I stated clearly about how I played there and dominated in IPL,” he added.
“Waiting for loose balls; going hard against them; putting pressure on bowlers,” also responded Abhishek.
Cummins, who captained Australia to their maiden ODI World Cup title in India last year said he would not like facing this left-hander because “it’s scary”.
“He (Abhishek) is amazing. I wouldn’t want to bowl to him. It’s scary as he plays with freedom, not only against pacers but also against spinners,” Cumminssaid post-match presentation .
