Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) all-rounder Abhishek Sharma thanks India legend Yuvraj Singh, West Indies great Brian Lara following his team’s six-wicket win over Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and his father’s help in his game. Abhishek Sharma’s blitzkrieg and clinical bowling led the way as Chennai Super Kings suffered their second consecutive defeat in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 on Friday. Sunrisers Hyderabad registered a six-wicket victory at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.

“In the bowling, we felt it was a slow wicket. So we wanted to take a strong attack. We have a chance to prepare well before the IPL. We knew it was going to be slow, but if we go against the bowlers, then Not anymore. Because it will be difficult for the bowlers too. Big scores are important but I went with the flow today. Hopefully I can go out next time. It’s all the hard work I put in before. Special thanks to my dad, Yuvi paaji and Brian Lara,” Abhishek said in his post-match speech.

Abhishek has been in fine form in the tournament so far, scoring 161 runs in four games at an average of 40.25 and a strike rate of 217.56, including 50 runs. His best score is 63, and the all-rounder is the fifth-highest scorer in the league so far.

Once the game started, SRH won the toss and elected to bowl first. Rachin Ravindra (12) and captain Ruturaj Gaikwad (26 off 21 balls, including three fours and a six) were out early, reducing CSK to 54/2 in 7.1 overs.

Then, Shivam Dube (45 off 24 balls with 2 fours and 4 boundaries), Ravindra Jadeja (31 off 23 balls with four boundaries) and Ajinkya Rahane (35 off 30 balls with 2 fours and 4 boundaries) 6 boundaries) batting took CSK to 165/5 in their 20 overs.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar (1/28), T Natarajan (1/39), skipper Pat Cummins (1/29) and Jaydev Unadkat (1/29) were among the wickets for SRH.

In the run-chase, Travis Head (31 off 24 balls with three fours and one six) and Abhishek Sharma (37 off 12 balls with three fours) ball and 4 sixes) started very well, taking SRH to 106 in 9.4 overs. Aiden Markram scored a brilliant half-century (50 off 36 balls with 4 boundaries and 6 boundaries). Heinrich Klaasen (10*) and Nitish Reddy (11*) led SRH to a six-wicket win.

Moeen Ali (2/23) is the bowler for CSK. Deepak Chahar and Maheesh Theekshana also picked up a wicket.

Abhishek’s explosive knocks earned him the Man of the Match award.

SRH climbed to fifth place with 4 points with 2 wins and 2 losses in four games. With the same win-loss ratio, CSK ranks third with 4 points due to a better run rate.

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