Abhishek Sharma’s scintillating knock against Punjab Kings in IPL 2025 turned into one of the most memorable moments of the tournament so far. Under pressure after a string of underwhelming performances — only 51 runs in his first five outings — the 23-year-old left-hander unleashed his best, hammering a sensational 141 off just 55 balls. His innings helped SunRisers Hyderabad successfully chase down a massive target of 246, making it the second-highest run chase in IPL history.
Battling illness in the days leading up to the match, Abhishek initially appeared rusty. His timing was off and he took time to settle in. But once he got going, there was no stopping him. With sheer intent and power, he tore apart the Punjab Kings’ bowling attack, smashing 10 sixes and 14 fours. It was the third-highest individual score in IPL history — trailing only Chris Gayle's iconic 175* and Brendon McCullum’s 158*.
The innings wasn’t just special because of the runs. It became emotional when Abhishek celebrated the win with his parents, who were present in the stands at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. Holding his Player of the Match trophy, the young batter posed for photos with his mother and father, both visibly proud. His father, Raj Kumar Sharma, who has been Abhishek’s coach since his childhood, was seen giving him hand gestures from the stands — guiding him on shot selection even during the match.
After the game, Abhishek acknowledged his father's unwavering support.
“He’s been watching me since I was a kid. I could see him gesturing from the stands — ‘play this shot, not that one’. Even after this, he says I should’ve finished the match,” Abhishek laughed.
Though Abhishek got out in the 17th over with SRH still needing 24 runs, he had already done the heavy lifting. The standing ovation he received walking back said it all.
His father shared that Abhishek had told him in the morning he would score big and win the match for SRH.
“I told him lean patches happen, don’t overthink it. He was a bit unlucky earlier. Today, he showed what he’s capable of,” Raj Kumar Sharma said with pride.
A crucial part of the epic chase was the 171-run opening stand between Abhishek and Travis Head, who blazed his way to 66 off 37. Their partnership laid the foundation for the historic run chase. Despite PBKS putting up a massive 245, their bowlers simply had no answers on the night.
This innings not only revived Abhishek’s IPL 2025 campaign but also sent a strong message about his potential and temperament. With the playoffs still ahead, his return to form is a massive boost for the SunRisers. And with his father continuing to push him for perfection, Abhishek seems poised for more fireworks this season.
