As for this IPL season, Abhishek Sharma had only bowled three overs in 14 matches until Friday. However, He walked past his arm and unleashed a victorious left-arm spin spell when Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) needed it the most against the Chennai.
Before Qualifier 2, Abhishek’s bat stood taller than all else as he amassed 470 runs off SRH opener’s blade from 14 innings at a strike rate of 207.75, including the highest of the season where he smashed 41 sixes; though it was not until he took two wickets that included Rajasthan Royals’ skipper Samson and Hetmyer in his two over spell which sent SRH into IPL 2024 final.
Rajasthan managed to score just139 for7 after chasing SRH’s175 for9.
The Kolkata Knight Riders, who won in both 2012 and 2014 , will now meet the previous victors in today’s finals at Chennai.
According to former Australia all-rounder Tom Moody, Abhishek is an opening batsman who can also bowl – an unusual combination –and “a serious package” for Indian cricket going forward.
Speaking on ESPNcricinfo, Moody said: “He backs himself hundred percent. Yes, I mean domestically he doesn’t bowl as much as one would desire him to but going forward in Indian cricket if you look at it strategically there are certain players coming through that need more bowling. That guy is someone who opens the batting up top and bowls left-arm spin regardless of the format so moving forward and into next year’s World Cup especially he could be a real asset.”
Moody then likened Abhishek to Nathan Lyon from Australia with reference to how this Indian youngster’s ball lands and dips during its flight path.
“The unique thing about him as a spinner is because he tosses it up and what he tries to do is get over spin on the ball, so it comes down like that (seam upright), Nathan Lyon style, it dips. So he doesn’t bowl side spin he bowls over spin and he’s got that clever little carrom ball he’s been working on which is the one that Hetmyer got and was an absolute peach,” Moody noted.
Abhishek, who could score only 12 runs on Friday to take his tally to 482, said he wasn’t sure his bowling will be required in Qualifier 2.
“To be honest, I didn’t know I will bowl in this match, but I was very much ready with my bowling because I’ve been working really hard on my bowling,” Abhishek said after SRH’s 36-run victory. “The last two years it’s been really good with my batting, so I wanted to work on my bowling with my dad. So special mention to my dad.”
