Relentless training, sessions with Yuvraj behind Abhishek's success

"HE (Abhishek Sharma) is amazing.

-  FIROZ MIRZA

I wouldn't want to bowl to him. It's scary as he plays with freedom, not only against pacers but also against spinners." This quote from Sunrisers Hyderabad skipper Pat Cummins on Sunday after the win against Punjab Kings sums up Abhishek's tantalising performance in the ongoing IPL so far. The left-hander from Punjab has impressed all and sundry with his fiery batting and formed a formidable opening partnership with Aussie Travis Head for his team. Such has been his impact this season that even explosive batters from across the globe look ordinary in front of him.

It appears as if he doesn't believe in hitting fours. The 23-year-old has slammed more sixes than fours, 41 maximums so far, the most by any batter in 2024. The half-a-dozen sixes he hit against Punjab Kings on Sunday meant he also went past his illustrious compatriot Virat Kohli (37) as far as most sixes by an Indian batter in an IPL season is concerned.

Among batters who have played 100 or more balls this season, Abhishek's strike rate (467 runs at 209.41 SR) is only behind James Fraser-McGurk of Delhi Capitals (330 runs at a SR of 234.04).