IPL 2026 | 'The environment we had in SRH in 2024 was game-changer...': Abhishek Sharma

SRH opener Abhishek Sharma celebrates his century against DC in Hyderabad on Tuesday. Pic/IPL

Abhishek Sharma believes that the game-changer in his career was the 2024 IPL season in Sunrisers Hyderabad when he felt youngsters were given the freedom and full backing to perform at their optimal level.

The world's No. 1 ranked T20 batter once again dazzled with an unbeaten 135 off 68 balls in SRH's 48 run win against Delhi Capitals.

Axar Patel. Pic/PTI

"Team coaches [Daniel Vettori] and captain [regular skipper Pat Cummins] created an environment where you can express yourself. I wanted to show my talent but you have to have backing from captain. The environment we had in SRH in 2024 was game-changer and it felt that they wanted youngsters to grow. Punjabi players enjoy freedom and Hyderabad team gave me that," Abhishek said at the post match presentation.

Meanwhile, DC skipper Axar Patel rued about KL Rahul's bungling of a run-out and Pathum Nissanka dropping a sitter which allowed Abhishek to let loose. "Run-out chance missed and missed catch did cost us dearly. Had we taken those chances, he wouldn't have reached where he did. But credit that he took those chances and scored those runs. But yes, good fielding is in our hands and we should have done that."

While DC's choice of players is being criticised, Axar ruled out any possibility of change in core set-up.

"Not thinking about making any changes. When wicket is so placid, we should just take this as an off day and forget about it," he told Sunil Gavaskar.

2
No. of Abhishek Sharma's scores among the top five knocks of IPL - 141 against PBKS and 135' vs DC

1
No. of times Abhishek Sharma has batted through all 20 overs of an IPL innings

3
No. of consecutive wins for SRH

9
No. of T20 centuries for Abhishek Sharma - joint-most by an Indian alongside Virat Kohli

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No. of times Abhishek Sharma has crossed 130 runs in a T20 innings - the most by anyone

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