Cheteshwar Pujara has described Abhishek Sharma as a “special” talent, saying his batting carries class from the way he sets himself to the way he accelerates. The praise came after the Sunrisers Hyderabad opener delivered a ruthless display against the Delhi Capitals, leaving the opposition with little answer in an IPL clash that turned one-sided well before the end.
Quick facts
- Abhishek Sharma smashed 135* off 68 balls for Sunrisers Hyderabad
- SRH posted 242/2 and won by 47 runs
- He hit 10 sixes and as many fours during the unbeaten innings
- KL Rahul fumbled behind the stumps when Abhishek was on 50, helping him stay in
- Cheteshwar Pujara hailed it as Abhishek’s second IPL hundred and first of the season
- Harbhajan Singh called the missed run-out a decisive turning point
Abhishek’s unbeaten knock tore through the Delhi Capitals bowling unit and helped SRH pile up a massive total of 242/2. With the chase effectively out of reach, his innings became the backbone of a 47-run victory that never truly allowed the Capitals to find momentum.
Pujara highlighted the timing and ease of the innings, noting that it was Abhishek’s second century in the IPL and his first of the current season. In his view, the runs matter because SRH typically convert them into wins, and the sort of form Abhishek showed makes his quality impossible to miss.
He added that centuries can look “easy” when a batter has the right temperament and technique, and specifically praised the amount of talent and composure Abhishek brings to the crease. Pujara’s message was clear: performances like this reveal the class that Abhishek Sharma is known for.
Turning point and debate
Abhishek entered top gear on Tuesday, striking 10 sixes and hitting the same number of fours as he dominated the contest. Even so, Harbhajan Singh pointed to one moment that could have changed the entire shape of the match—an early lifeline when KL Rahul fumbled behind the stumps as Abhishek was on 50.
For Harbhajan, that missed run-out was the key swing. He argued that if Abhishek had been dismissed at that stage, the game might have looked very different, because the batter went on to play a decisive role in setting up that huge 240-plus score.
Harbhajan also stressed how totals at that level often come down to fine margins and quick chances. He noted that Abhishek was well short and suggested that a direct hit or a sharper throw could have ended the innings—yet instead, SRH were able to keep building momentum.
Beyond the single match, Harbhajan delivered a warning to India’s bowlers about tightening execution. In his view, T20 leaves no room for complacency, because batters constantly unveil new ways to score—and if bowlers do not evolve, they will be punished.
He went on to praise the way some bowlers have still found success despite the ongoing batter-heavy environment. One example he singled out was Anshul Kamboj of Chennai Super Kings, pointing out that among the leading wicket-takers in the “Purple Cap” race, the top five are all Indians.
Harbhajan said Kamboj leads that group with 13 wickets, and he specifically praised his bowling against Sunrisers Hyderabad. He also explained that Kamboj used a round-the-wicket approach in the death overs to restrict Heinrich Klaasen, denying the hitter the freedom to swing freely.
In Harbhajan’s assessment, young bowlers like Kamboj are showing a new pathway for modern T20 cricket—an approach that combines tactical angles with discipline, even in phases where batting usually dominates.
