Young Indian opener Abhishek Sharma has kicked off his preparations for the Indian Premier League 2025 (IPL 2025) with a bang — quite literally — as he smashed glasses during a high-intensity practice session at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad. Abhishek, who rose to prominence last season with his fearless batting, has already started turning heads with his powerful hitting, reminding everyone why he’s one of the most exciting young talents in Indian cricket.
The southpaw grabbed headlines in IPL 2024 after forging a deadly opening partnership with Australian star Travis Head for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). The duo became one of the most destructive opening pairs of the season, setting the stage on fire with aggressive strokeplay and relentless boundary-hitting. Abhishek’s ability to launch the ball into the stands with effortless ease made him a fan favorite, and his towering sixes quickly became a hallmark of SRH’s explosive batting style.
In a fun moment captured by Sunrisers Hyderabad’s social media team, Abhishek was quizzed about what he ended up breaking during the practice session. With his trademark smile, he admitted to breaking a few bats and even revealed he heard a glass shatter near the boundary rope — later discovering that it was a fire extinguisher that had taken the hit. The moment perfectly encapsulated his powerful hitting and his lighthearted personality, both of which have endeared him to fans.
Abhishek enjoyed a phenomenal IPL 2024 season, emerging as SRH’s second-highest run-scorer. He smashed 484 runs in 16 innings at an average of 32.26, but what stood out most was his astonishing strike rate of 204.21. He made a habit of taking down bowlers from the first ball, ensuring SRH got off to flying starts in almost every game. His fearless approach, coupled with his consistency, played a pivotal role in SRH’s journey to the finals.
His standout IPL performances earned him a well-deserved maiden call-up to the Indian national team for the tour of Zimbabwe — a moment every young cricketer dreams of. Abhishek didn’t waste time making an impact, blasting a breathtaking 46-ball century in just his second T20I match. He followed that up with an even more jaw-dropping innings — a 37-ball century against England in the fifth T20I at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium on February 2, the second-fastest T20I century by an Indian. It was a knock filled with power, precision, and audacity, cementing his place as one of the brightest young batters in the country.
In his short but explosive T20I career so far, Abhishek has already scored 535 runs in 17 innings, boasting an impressive average of 33.43 and an eye-watering strike rate of 193.84. With two blazing centuries and two rapid fifties under his belt, he’s proven he can deliver on the big stage — not just in the IPL but for India as well.
Recognizing his immense value, Sunrisers Hyderabad didn’t hesitate to retain him for a hefty ₹14 crore ahead of the IPL 2025 auction. The franchise sees him as a cornerstone of their batting lineup and a player who can single-handedly change the course of a match within a few overs. With his aggressive mindset and growing maturity, Abhishek is expected to take on an even bigger role for SRH this season — not just as a power-hitter but also as a leader within the batting unit.
Sunrisers Hyderabad will kickstart their IPL 2025 campaign against Rajasthan Royals on Sunday, March 23, at their fortress — the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. After narrowly missing out on the title last year, finishing as runners-up, SRH will be desperate to go one step further and lift the trophy this time around. With a formidable squad and a red-hot Abhishek Sharma leading from the front, they’ll be eyeing a strong start to their campaign.
Fans are eagerly waiting to see if Abhishek can replicate his fireworks from last season, and perhaps even elevate his game to new heights. If his early practice sessions are anything to go by — with bats breaking and glass shattering — IPL 2025 could be the season where Abhishek Sharma truly transforms from a rising star into a household name and a cricketing sensation.
