 "Sunrisers Hyderabad opener Abhishek Sharma celebrates after completing his maiden IPL century in just 40 deliveries during the home game against Punjab Kings. AP")
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) opener Abhishek Sharma roared back to form after an underwhelming start to the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL), slamming a 40-ball century to put his team in pole position in their home game against Punjab Kings. Abhishek struck 11 fours and six sixes en route to bringing up the three figure mark at a strike rate touching 250, forging a mammoth 171-run partnership with opening partner Travis Head (66 off 37 balls) along the way.
PBKS had earlier posted a humongous 245/6 on the board after skipper Shreyas Iyer opted to bat and led from the front with a whirlwind 82 off 36 balls. However, the manner in which the ‘Travishek’ opening pair responded at their home ground has suddenly made the Sunrisers the favourites to pull off the second-highest run-chase in the history of the IPL.
What was written on the note flashed by Abhishek during his century celebration?
The southpaw nudged the final ball of Yuzvendra Chahal’s third over towards midwicket for a single to bring up the fifth-fastest century in the history of the Indian Premier League. And after leaping up with joy once at the non-striker’s end, Abhishek celebrated his maiden IPL century by pulling out a piece of paper.
The writing on the paper wasn’t legible initially, but became clear once the broadcast camera zoomed in. “THIS ONE IS FOR ORANGE ARMY!” was Abhishek’s message for the SRH dugout and for the fans at their home ground after announcing himself in the 18th season of the world’s biggest T20 league in style.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsThanks to Abhishek’s heroics and Head’s supporting act, SRH breached the 200-mark with five overs left.