Abhishek Sharma served up another trademark explosive knock at IPL 2026, smashing Royal Challengers Bengaluru's bowling attack for 56 off just 22 balls at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on May 22. The Sunrisers Hyderabad opener played with complete freedom from the very first over, hitting four boundaries and five sixes at a staggering strike rate of 254.54 to hand SRH a commanding start despite the early loss of Travis Head.
The left-hander needed only 20 deliveries to bring up his half-century, reaching the milestone with a six against Romario Shepherd in the 8th over. Abhishek's assault immediately put RCB under pressure as he attacked both pace and spin without hesitation.
Former SRH pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar was among the first to come under fire. Abhishek greeted him with a towering six over long-off in the first over before following it up with back-to-back boundaries in his next over, a delicate flick past fine leg and a commanding pull over midwicket.
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Romario Shepherd endured the harshest treatment of the innings. Abhishek tore into the all-rounder with two massive sixes and a boundary in a the 8th over, rapidly accelerating towards his fifty.
Even leg-spinner Suyash Sharma was initially unable to contain the carnage, with Abhishek launching him for back-to-back sixes in the first over of his spell. However, Abhishek did receive a reprieve on 25 when Venkatesh Iyer dropped a flat pull shot at deep square leg.
Suyash eventually earned revenge after cleverly changing his approach. Persisting with his googly but cramping the batter for room, the leg-spinner induced a mistimed charge down the track. Abhishek attempted another big hit but only managed a leading edge, bringing an end to a stunning 22-ball cameo that had already inflicted serious damage on RCB.
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