IPL 2023 | Abhishek Sharma Hails Brian Lara Influence for Match-Winning Knock vs DC
Abhishek Sharma celebrates his 50 against DC (IPLT20.COM)
Abhishek Sharma scored a scintillating 67 against Delhi Capitals in match number 40 of the ongoing IPL 2023 season. The Sunrisers Hyderabad youngster faced just 36 deliveries in the innings, and dispatched 12 of them for boundaries and one of them for a massive six.
Despite losing partners from the other end, Sharma maintained his aggressive intent, which was later capitalised by Heinrich Klaasen, who charged up the SRH score to a match-winning 197-6 with his 27-ball 53*.
After the match, Sharma credited SRH coach Brian Lara for his rapid knock on a pitch that was stopping and keeping low in between.
Sharma says Lara asked him to attack speedsters
Abhishek Sharma countered Delhi Capitals new-ball pace duo of Ishant Sharma and Anrich Nortje with ease. The youngster also pummelled Mukesh Kumar with equal ferocity within the powerplay overs.
After the match, the 22-year-old credited his coach Brian Lara for advising him to go after the Capitals fast bowlers up the order. He said:
“Brian Lara told me the fast bowlers in the powerplay, just go after them. So that was my plan, and luckily, it went well. The wickets were falling when I was playing, so I was looking for 180 when I was batting.”
The cricketer also revealed that the Delhi pitch kept a bit low where the ball was stopping a bit. He added that his aim was to just punish the balls on their merit without trying to be fancy.
“It was a bit low. The slower balls were coming a bit low and stopping a bit. The plan was to just look for the balls that we can hit. Don't try anything fancy. Just look for the ball and react to the ball.”
Sharma will now reprise his role for the SRH in their upcoming game against the KKR. The match, a home fixture for the ‘Orange Army’, will be played on May 4.
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