Abhishek Sharma
Role: All-rounder (Left-hand bat, Slow left-arm orthodox)
DOB: 04 September 2000
IPL Team (2026): Sunrisers Hyderabad
Base Price: Retained (Last known auction price: INR 6.5 Crore in 2022)
IPL CAREER STATISTICS (Updated April 2026)
Batting & Fielding
| Year | Mat | Inn | NO | Runs | HS | Avg | BF | SR | 100 | 50 | 4s | 6s | CT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career | 86 | 83 | 6 | 2073 | 82 | 26.92 | 1335 | 155.28 | 0 | 9 | 182 | 123 | 28 |
| 2026 | 6 | 6 | 1 | 180 | 65* | 36.00 | 95 | 189.47 | 0 | 1 | 15 | 12 | 2 |
| 2025 | 14 | 14 | 0 | 380 | 82 | 27.14 | 220 | 172.72 | 0 | 2 | 35 | 25 | 5 |
| 2024 | 16 | 16 | 1 | 484 | 75 | 32.26 | 237 | 204.21 | 0 | 3 | 40 | 42 | 7 |
| 2023 | 11 | 11 | 0 | 226 | 67 | 20.54 | 158 | 143.03 | 0 | 1 | 18 | 15 | 3 |
| 2022 | 14 | 14 | 0 | 426 | 75 | 30.42 | 328 | 129.87 | 0 | 2 | 47 | 13 | 6 |
| 2021 | 8 | 8 | 1 | 111 | 33 | 15.85 | 99 | 112.12 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 3 | 2 |
| 2020 | 11 | 8 | 2 | 163 | 31* | 27.16 | 136 | 119.85 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 6 | 2 |
| 2019 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 40 | 31* | 20.00 | 27 | 148.14 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| 2018 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 63 | 46 | 21.00 | 35 | 180.00 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 1 |
Bowling
| Year | Mat | Balls | Runs | Wkts | BBI | Avg | Econ | SR | 4W | 5W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career | 86 | 342 | 516 | 14 | 2/13 | 36.85 | 9.05 | 24.42 | 0 | 0 |
| 2026 | 6 | 24 | 36 | 1 | 1/10 | 36.00 | 9.00 | 24.00 | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 | 14 | 72 | 108 | 4 | 2/20 | 27.00 | 9.00 | 18.00 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | 16 | 60 | 90 | 3 | 1/15 | 30.00 | 9.00 | 20.00 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | 11 | 12 | 19 | 0 | – | – | 9.50 | – | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | 14 | 6 | 15 | 0 | – | – | 15.00 | – | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | 8 | 48 | 62 | 4 | 2/13 | 15.50 | 7.75 | 12.00 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | 11 | 102 | 151 | 2 | 1/16 | 75.50 | 8.88 | 51.00 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | 3 | 12 | 16 | 0 | – | – | 8.00 | – | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | 3 | 6 | 19 | 0 | – | – | 19.00 | – | 0 | 0 |
The Story of Abhishek Sharma
Hailing from Amritsar, Punjab, Abhishek Sharma first burst onto the national scene as a key member of India’s U19 World Cup-winning squad in 2018. A dynamic left-handed batsman and a handy slow left-arm orthodox bowler, Sharma’s talent was evident from a young age. His IPL journey began with a bang, making his debut for Delhi Daredevils (now Capitals) in 2018. In his very first IPL innings, he smashed a breathtaking 46 runs off just 19 balls against Royal Challengers Bangalore, a knock that included 4 fours and 3 sixes, immediately marking him as a talent to watch.
After a brief stint with Delhi, Abhishek was traded to Sunrisers Hyderabad, a franchise where he would eventually find his true calling. His initial years at SRH were a period of growth, often playing in the middle order and contributing with occasional cameos. The breakthrough truly arrived in the 2022 season when he was promoted to open the innings. Sharma seized the opportunity with both hands, accumulating 426 runs with two half-centuries, showcasing his ability to anchor an innings while maintaining a decent strike rate. This season solidified his spot as a top-order batsman.
However, it was the 2024 season that transformed Abhishek Sharma into one of the most feared openers in the league. Partnering with the equally destructive Travis Head, Sharma unleashed a brand of fearless, aggressive cricket that redefined powerplay batting. His ability to hit sixes at will, particularly against spin, became a highlight of SRH’s record-breaking season. He consistently provided blistering starts, often reaching his fifty in under 20 balls, leaving opposition bowlers shell-shocked. This explosive display continued into 2025 and a strong start to 2026, establishing him as a premier T20 opener.
Abhishek’s playing style is characterized by his clean hitting, particularly down the ground and over mid-wicket. He possesses a strong bottom hand and a natural ability to generate immense power. While primarily known for his batting, his left-arm spin offers a valuable option, often breaking partnerships or containing runs in the middle overs. He’s also a livewire in the field, making him a complete package for any T20 side.
IPL Journey: Team by Team
Abhishek Sharma’s IPL career started with the Delhi Daredevils (DD) in 2018, who acquired him for INR 55 lakhs. He played three matches for them, making an unforgettable debut with a rapid 46 against RCB. Despite the promising start, he was traded to Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) ahead of the 2019 season.
His journey with SRH began with limited opportunities in 2019 and 2020, where he played a handful of games, mostly in the middle order. In 2021, he saw slightly more game time, contributing with both bat and ball. The 2022 mega-auction saw SRH re-acquire him for a significant INR 6.5 Crore, a testament to their belief in his potential. This investment paid off handsomely as he was promoted to open, becoming their leading run-scorer with 426 runs. He continued to be a vital part of SRH in 2023, and then exploded in 2024, forming a formidable opening partnership with Travis Head that propelled SRH to new heights. His consistent high-impact performances led to his retention by SRH for the 2025 and 2026 seasons, solidifying his status as a franchise cornerstone.
What Makes Them Special: Betting Perspective
Abhishek Sharma, especially since his transformation into an explosive opener, offers significant value for bettors. His primary strength lies in his fearless approach during the powerplay. He has an exceptional ability to clear the ropes against both pace and spin, making him a prime candidate for ‘Over X.5 Runs’ in the first six overs or ‘Player to hit Most Sixes’ bets, especially on flat tracks and smaller grounds like Hyderabad. His strike rate, which has consistently been above 170 in recent seasons, makes him a strong pick for ‘Player to score 30+/50+’ in favorable matchups.
However, bettors should be mindful of his weaknesses. While his aggressive approach yields high rewards, it also carries inherent risks. He can be prone to quick dismissals against quality swing bowling early on or if he tries to force the pace too much. His bowling, while a useful asset, is generally part-time and can be expensive, so betting on his bowling performance should be approached with caution unless conditions heavily favor spin. Consistency, while improved, can still be a factor, so checking recent form is crucial.
He thrives against leg-spinners and medium-pacers, often targeting them for boundaries. Conversely, top-tier express pace or disciplined off-spinners with good control might pose a challenge. For strategic betting, consider him for ‘Player of the Match’ only when his bowling is expected to play a significant role alongside his batting, or if he’s coming off a string of high-impact batting performances. His fielding is generally good, adding a small bonus to his overall impact.
Key Records & Milestones
- Youngest player to score a 40+ score on IPL debut (46 off 19 balls for DD vs RCB in 2018, aged 17 years and 251 days).
- Holds the record for the fastest fifty for Sunrisers Hyderabad (16 balls, achieved in 2024).
- Hit the most sixes in a single IPL season for Sunrisers Hyderabad (42 sixes in 2024).
- One of only a handful of players to score over 2000 IPL runs and take 10+ wickets.
- Part of the victorious Indian U19 World Cup squad in 2018.
IPL Season Highlights
2024 Season: The Explosive Opener
The 2024 season was a watershed moment for Abhishek Sharma. Forming a devastating opening partnership with Travis Head, he redefined powerplay batting. Sharma consistently provided blistering starts, often reaching his fifty in record time. His 484 runs came at an astounding strike rate of 204.21, including three half-centuries. A standout performance was his 75 off just 30 balls against a strong bowling attack, where he showcased his incredible six-hitting prowess, guiding SRH to a massive total and a dominant victory. He was instrumental in SRH’s run to the playoffs, becoming a fan favorite for his fearless approach.
2022 Season: Stepping Up as Opener
This season marked Abhishek’s promotion to the top of the order, a move that proved to be a turning point in his IPL career. He responded by becoming SRH’s highest run-scorer, amassing 426 runs from 14 matches at an average of 30.42, including two crucial half-centuries. His innings of 75 against Gujarat Titans, where he played with maturity and aggression, was a testament to his growing confidence and ability to anchor the innings. This season established him as a reliable opening option for SRH.
2018 Season: Dream Debut
Though a brief season with Delhi Daredevils, Abhishek’s debut left an indelible mark. Against Royal Challengers Bangalore, he walked in late in the innings and unleashed a stunning 46 runs off just 19 balls, including 3 sixes and 4 fours. This fearless display against experienced international bowlers immediately put him on the IPL map and hinted at the explosive potential that would fully blossom in later years.