Abhishek Sharma smashes 42-ball 94 as SRH batters light up pre-season practice match
Abhishek Sharma put the mixed memories of the T20 World Cup behind him on Saturday, smashing 94 off just 42 balls in Sunrisers Hyderabad's intra-squad practice match at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. The world's No. 1-ranked T20I batter looked in fine touch a week out from the start of IPL 2026.
Abhishek picks up where he left off
Opening for SRH 'A', the 25-year-old went after the bowling from ball one and brought up his fifty in rapid time before Brydon Carse eventually dismissed him six short of a century. Abhishek's World Cup ended on a high with a 21-ball 52 in the final against New Zealand, and this knock suggested there is plenty more to come.
His campaign in India earlier this month was a genuine rollercoaster. He missed a group match due to a stomach infection that left him hospitalised, then returned and registered three consecutive ducks. But Abhishek finished with 141 runs in eight innings, including that blazing final knock and a 30-ball 55 against Zimbabwe in the Super 8s.
Klaasen and Arora chip in
Abhishek was not the only SRH batter to find form. Heinrich Klaasen made 49 off 31 balls, while uncapped 23-year-old Salil Arora announced himself with a startling 47 off just 16 deliveries. Arora, bought for Rs 1.50 crore at the mini auction, will fancy his chances of a place in the matchday squad if he keeps hitting like that.
SRH 'A' posted 253 for 9 from their 21 overs, with veteran seamer Jaydev Unadkat taking five wickets despite conceding 48 runs.
Kishan fires in second innings
The fireworks continued in the second innings as stand-in captain Ishan Kishan hammered 72 off just 25 balls for SRH 'B'. Kishan will lead the side at the start of IPL 2026 while Pat Cummins recovers from a back injury, and his aggressive display is a good sign for a franchise that needs fast starts at the top of the order.
Abhishek came out to bat again for SRH 'B' too but managed only 12 off four balls before Praful Hinge had him caught.
SRH open against RCB on March 28
SRH begin their IPL 2026 campaign against Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Chinnaswamy Stadium on March 28. With Cummins set to miss at least the opening matches, the batting unit will need to carry extra responsibility, and Saturday's display suggests the top order is ready to shoulder it.
