IPL 2024: Abhishek Sharma calls Travis Head his favourite batter

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) put on a batting masterclass against Mumbai Indians (MI) on March 27 in the ongoing IPL 2024. The hosts put up a mammoth total of 277/3 making it the highest total in IPL history. A blazing 68-run partnership off just 3.4 overs between Abhishek Sharma (63 off 23) and Travis Head (62 off 24) set the tone of the innings.

In the post-match press conference, the young Abhishek couldn't hide his admiration for his Australian partner. "When I was batting with Travis Head. He is one of my favorite batters. I enjoyed batting with him," said Abhishek

Head and Abhishek took the MI bowlers to the cleaners from ball one. Head kicked things off by smashing an 18-ball fifty, at that point the fastest for SRH. Not to be outdone, Abhishek then blasted his way to a 16-ball half-century, registering the new record for SRH.

"To be honest, I didn't realize it was the fastest fifty for SRH. I just wanted to go out and express myself. After getting out, I realized it was the quickest. And of course, I enjoyed it," he added.

Also read: I had a chance to talk to Brian Lara before MI's game and that helped me massively: Abhishek Sharma

Just go out and express yourself: Abhishek Sharma

The onslaught began in the third over when 22 runs came off Kwena Maphaka' over, Head smashed 20 runs out of that which included two massive sixes and two boundaries completely shifting the momentum towards SRH. From there on young Abhishek took over and smashed the MI bowlers all over the park.

By the time both were dismissed in the 11th over, they had put SRH in a commanding position at 161/3. Aiden Markram (42*) and Heinrich Klaasen (80* off 34) continued the assault to propel SRH to their record total.

Also read: RCB congratulate SRH for breaking highest IPL total record

Despite a spirited reply from MI's Tilak Varma (64 off 34), the visitors fell 31 runs short of the target and ended with 246/5. Talking about the support from the skipper and coaching staff, "In the meeting we had before the match, the message was pretty simple. Just go out and express yourself. Because that's a very positive message from the captain and coach. For this match also, it was pretty much the same. Just go out and express yourself," he concluded.