Abhishek Sharma Sets IPL Record with Stunning 141-Run Knock

A Remarkable Performance by Abhishek Sharma

Abhishek Sharma's extraordinary performance in the IPL was sparked by a spontaneous thought he penned in his diary. He achieved a remarkable feat by scoring 141 runs off just 55 balls, leading Sunrisers Hyderabad to a swift victory over Punjab Kings, successfully chasing down a daunting target of 246 runs and breaking their four-match losing streak.

Sharma acknowledged the pressure he faced due to previous underwhelming performances, and despite battling illness, he delivered one of the most unforgettable innings in IPL history. During the six-day break before the match, he struggled with a high fever but woke up on match day determined to make a significant impact.

Reflecting on his mindset, Sharma shared, "I usually write something every morning, and today I had a random thought that if I perform, it would be for the Orange Army. Thankfully, today was my day," as he celebrated his century with the note he had written.

He credited his mentor Yuvraj Singh and T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav for their unwavering support during his tough times. "I was unwell for four days, but I’m thankful for Yuvraj and Suryakumar, who kept reaching out to me. They believed in my potential, which helped me regain my confidence," he explained.

Sharma's innings was not without its share of luck; he was dropped once and benefited from a no-ball before unleashing a barrage of runs against the Punjab bowlers. He admitted to feeling the pressure before the match, stating, "It would be a lie to say I wasn’t feeling it. When you haven’t performed well for several innings, especially during a losing streak, it’s natural to feel the heat. However, I didn’t sense any negativity within the team despite our losses."

Punjab Kings' Missed Opportunities

Sunil Joshi, the spin bowling coach for Punjab Kings, pointed out that their inability to bowl enough dot balls on a pitch conducive to high scoring was a significant factor in their defeat. He remarked, "We anticipated a high-scoring match, and a few dropped catches were crucial in such a game. On a pitch like this, enhancing our dot ball percentage is essential, as it can make a difference during the middle overs. We failed to capitalize on half-chances today."