Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) star opener Abhishek Sharma smashed a 47-ball century in IPL 2026, in a match against Delhi Capitals (DC) at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad. He smashed back-to-back sixes to seal the century and also secured the Orange Cap with his brilliant knock.
The 25-year-old shared the story behind his unique arms folded celebration. The left-hander’s knock highlighted his growth as a finisher and a deep connection with the home crowd.
Abhishek Sharma hits his second ton of the tournament
Abhishek Sharma smashed his second IPL hundred and reached the landmark in style with back-to-back sixes in the 15th over. Nitish Rana played a long-off that Abhishek sent over deep mid-wicket, followed by a full toss that thumped straight over the bowler’s head. The aggressive innings took his T20 sixes to 350, cementing his status as one of the most dangerous power-hitters in the game.
A special celebration marks a personal milestone
As Abhishek Sharma finished his pitch, he folded his hands in a heartfelt gesture. After his innings, the explosive batsman explained the reason behind it.
“I just had a plan with Frankie (James Franklin) and he just wanted me to bat in the 20th over and even Murali (Muralitharan) said the same thing. It might be the first time I’ve ever batted in the 20th over. So it was just a celebration. And of course, a 100, that was always special and to perform on this ground,” he said.
The celebration was for more than just the runs; Abhishek Sharma completed the full 20 overs at the wicket for the first time ever. Batting coach James Franklin and spin consultant Muttiah Muralitharan urged him to anchor the innings, a new challenge for the naturally aggressive opener.
Abhishek also reflected on cracking the hundred in front of the home crowd: “I mean, of course, it’s always special to perform in front of the Orange Army and everyone knows the love for this ground is unmatched. But yeah, the way they went for the deathmatch, I felt like they were really executing their plan and it was just, I feel like I didn’t practice my batting properly.”
Abhishek Sharma claims the orange cap
Abhishek Sharma secured the Orange Cap with his 135 off 68 balls and 10 fours and 10 sixes. Abhishek has now amassed 323 runs, surpassing his teammate Heinrich Klaasen (320) to lead the list of batsmen with the most runs this season. He smashed two fifties and a hundred, so far in 7 innings at a strike-rate of 215.33.
Abhishek Sharma joins the elite company in IPL history
With this knock, Abhishek carved his name among the IPL greats. The highest individual score in IPL history now stands at:
175* – Chris Gayle (RCB vs PWI, Bengaluru 2013)
158* – Brendon McCullum (KKR vs RCB, Bengaluru 2008)
141 – Abhishek Sharma (SRH vs PK, Hyderabad 2025)
140* – Quinton de Kock (LSG vs KKR, Navi Mumbai 2022)
135* – Abhishek Sharma (SRH vs DC, Hyderabad 2026)
