Abhishek Sharma and Yuvraj Singh. (Photo Source: BCCI/IPL)
Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Abhishek Sharma produced a brilliant batting display against Lucknow Super Giants in their IPL 2024 clash on Wednesday night. The young opener’s knock of 75* off just 28 balls helped SRH chase down 166 in just 9.4 overs with all wickets intact.
His free-flowing stroke play drew comparisons from cricketer-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra to the batting style of Indian legend Yuvraj Singh. LSG posted 165/4 after electing to bat first, thanks to useful knocks from Nicholas Pooran (48* off 26) and Ayush Badoni (55* off 30) the visitors reached a defending total.
While the total seemed competitive, it proved to be a cakewalk for SRH’s openers Abhishek and Travis Head (89* off 30). The duo smashed an incredible 107 runs in the powerplay to register a comprehensive 10-wicket victory.
Also read: I and Travis Head have become good friends off the pitch, have started spending more time: Abhishek Sharma
Analysing the innings on his YouTube channel, Chopra was all in praise for the Punjab-born’s clean hitting.
“Abhishek Sharma is a very good story. If I compare their (Abhishek and Head’s) hitting styles, Abhishek’s style seems cleaner to me. The backlift comes nicely, it reminds you slightly of Yuvraj Singh, and the downswing is very good. You see a class in his batting,” he said.
Seems like Head is taking people’s class: Chopra
The former India batter drew a contrast with Abhishek’s opening partner, Head. “It seems like Head is taking people’s class, as though he is just beating them up, and it seems just like an extension of cricketing shots in his (Abhishek’s) case. He also hits sixes. He hit six sixes and eight fours and scored 75 runs off 28 balls. If Travis Head had a strike rate of 296, he also had a strike rate close to 270,” Chopra added.
Also read: Yuvraj Singh peps up Abhishek Sharma further after yet another blistering knock
Chopra felt Abhishek’s exploits should soon earn him an India call-up. “I feel Abhishek Sharma should be in the Indian team not too long from now. His name should come in the Indian team. We cannot say that we don’t have strikers. We have many. You can see Abhishek Sharma. After that, Yashasvi Jaiswal hits at the top,” he further added.
Sharma has repeatedly thanked the former India all-rounder for his assistance and guidance in nourishing his game. Yuvraj has been a huge supporter of Sharma and has been seen mentoring and coaching with the youngster on numerous occasions.