"Message was clear that..." - Abhishek Sharma reveals how Pat Cummins brought the best out of him
Published - 31 May 2024, 05:46 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 01:12 AM
SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) opening batter Abhishek Sharma credited Pat Cummins and the management for his success in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. Abhishek Sharma stated that Pat Cummins wanted the team to play with an aggressive and attacking approach in the recently concluded season.
Pat Cummins was picked by SunRisers Hyderabad for a whopping Rs 20.25 crore during last year's mini-auction. The team management appointed him as skipper after finishing at the bottom during the last season. Cummins replaced South African batter Aiden Markram as skipper for the 2016 IPL champions.
Pat Cummins changed the team's fortunes with his aggressive style of captaincy. The Hyderabad-based team crossed the 250-run mark three times, including a record-breaking 287 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). The team reached the final match after dominating in the league stage of the season.
However, the Hyderabad team failed to defeat the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the summit clash at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Sunday, May 26. The Pat Cummins-led team was bowled out for just 113 runs in the final. The Knight Riders chased down the target to clinch their third title.
I Like To Dominate When I Am Batting - Abhishek Sharma
Abhishek Sharma said that Pat Cummins and the management gave a clear directive for an aggressive and attacking approach throughout the IPL. Sharma said that it allowed him to express himself freely and play his natural aggressive style of batting, contributing to his success in the tournament.
"From the start of the tournament, the SRH captain Pat Cummins and the management were clear that they wanted an aggressive and attacking approach from the team. The message was clear that SRH had to dominate in every game. This approach suited me and I could go out there and express myself in the middle. I like to dominate when I am batting and that's what I did," Abhishek Sharma said.
Abhishek Sharma To Receive Maiden Call Up From Selectors Soon
The 23-year-old cricketer entered the IPL 2024 season after being excluded from two Ranji Trophy matches by the Punjab state team. Notably, the southpaw played a crucial role in Punjab's victory in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, where he scored 485 runs in ten innings at an impressive strike rate of 192.46.
Abhishek Sharma didn't clinch the Orange Cap or the IPL trophy in 2024, but his performance was impactful. The left-handed batter scored 484 runs at an average of 32.27 and a remarkable strike rate of 204.22. His fearless approach in the recent tournament drew the attention of national selectors.
Following the conclusion of the T20 World Cup, India will tour Zimbabwe for a five-match T20I series in July, as confirmed by Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Abhishek Sharma could potentially receive a call-up, as the selectors may lean towards youngsters for the tour.