Sunrisers Hyderabad defeated the Lucknow Super Giants by 6 wickets to eliminate Rishabh Pant’s team from the playoff race. Chasing 206 runs, the visitors completed the task in 18.2 overs, with Abhishek Sharma (59) and Heinrich Klaasen (47) playing aggressive knocks. The southpaw was named the Player of the Match for giving an impressive start to the 2016 champions.

Abhishek, who scored a hundred in the season earlier, smashed four sixes in one over of Ravi Bishnoi. He didn’t have a great season like the previous edition, but still managed to win two games out of Hyderabad’s four victories in the 18th season.

Former India player Ajay Jadeja heaped massive praise on the 24-year-old cricketer.

“He hit four sides in Bishnoi’s over. Abhishek Sharma is a peace loving man but not in batting. He scored 140-plus in one of the matches and now a fifty-plus score against SRH. He has won two matches for the side. This is why openers are important. He hasn’t been at his best in this season but is still winning games,” Ajay Jadeja said on Star Sports.

“Abhishek Sharma knows his game”: Mohammad Kaif

Mohammad Kaif opined on the success of Abhishek Sharma in the shortest format of the game. “When Abhishek hits, he doesn’t mistime the ball. He doesn’t overhit by using his 100 percent power. He operates at 70-80 percent and has understood his game,” Mohammad Kaif said.