Abhishek Sharma returned to his very best in the Indian Premier League on Tuesday, April 21, hitting a terrific hundred against Delhi Capitals, his second in the competition. It was not a slam-bang effort, with the batter reaching his milestone in 47 balls, seven balls quicker than his first century.
In fact, Sharma, known for his ridiculously aggressive starts, did not hit a single six in the first four overs at all. Abhishek Sharma began his innings in a patient manner, seeing off Mukesh Kumar and Nitish Rana in the first few overs of the powerplay. Both Abhishek and Travis Head made sure that they put a price on their wickets.
It was only in the fifth over that Abhishek cut loose and repaid Delhi Capitals in full for bowling Nitish Rana for the second over in the powerplay. In fact, Abhishek reached his fifty in 25 balls, his slowest T20 fifty at his home stadium in Hyderabad.
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The left-hander did not really cut loose even after getting set, instead choosing to pick up at least one boundary from each bowler. The left-hander got one lifeline in his innings when he was dropped at deep point by Nitish Rana in the 14th over of the match. Looking to increase the run rate of the team, Abhishek slashed a wide full toss hard, but was not able to place the ball. Nitish Rana, protecting the region, moved to his left and set himself for a low catch. However, the Delhi all-rounder was not able to keep hold of the ball.
Rana paid the price in the very next over when he was brought back to bowl the fourth time this innings. Abhishek hit Rana for three sixes and a four in the 15th, racing to his hundred in 47 balls and helping SRH to 183 runs in the 15th over itself.
It was a very different approach from what the fans are used to seeing from Abhishek, where he comes down the track and tries to be aggressive against every single bowler that he faces. But on Tuesday, Abhishek mixed up his style and was happy to sit back against the likes of Lungi Ngidi, who has a sensational slower ball up his sleeve.
After completing his century, Abhishek did not bring out his ‘L’ celebration. Instead, he folded his arms and looked at the dressing room, almost telling them: I told you so. I told you that I can stay patient when I am required to.
He talked about his celebration after the innings was done, saying it was a tribute to James Franklin.
“It’s just I had a plan with Franky and he just wanted me to bat till the 20 overs. I think this is the first time that I have batted for 20 overs. The wicket wasn’t too easy. But if you play good cricket, they have the talent in that team. You have to play well to defend it,” said Abhishek.
The approach really worked out for SRH as well, who have constantly needed Heinrich Klaasen and Ishan Kishan to rescue them in the middle overs. But on Tuesday, Abhishek took it upon himself and helped Klaasen enter the innings at the phase where he is required, in the 15th over instead of the fifth, where he has often had to restrict himself from playing his natural game.
Abhishek’s innings helped Klaasen get into his groove early and really dominate the death overs. Klaasen found the answer to Lungi Ngidi’s vicious slower balls, hitting him for back-to-back sixes in the 18th over.
Klaasen added the cherry on top of the cake with a lovely hand of 37 not out off 13 balls, taking SRH to their biggest total of the IPL 2026 season so far. SRH finished with 242 for the loss of just two wickets. Abhishek Sharma remained unbeaten at 135 off 68 balls, at a strike-rate of 198.53, a figure below 200, which is not usually associated with his best outings in the format.
