Under-19 players have been a highlight of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2018. They have proved their mettle by shocking even the most experienced players of the world. 17-year-old Abhishek Sharma made his IPL debut for Delhi Daredevils (DD) against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). Abhishek came out to bat in the 16th over after DD skipper Shreyas Iyer’s wicket and impressed everyone with his orthodox cricketing shots to score at a brisk pace.
Abhishek scored at a strike rate of 242.11. His 19-ball 46 knock had 3 fours and 4 sixes and remained unbeaten. He struck Tim Southee for three boundaries in a row and toyed with Mohammed Siraj as well. The Under 19 World Cup 2018 winner stunned RCB skipper Virat Kohli as well with his six-hitting skills.
The 17-year-old took DD’s score to a fighting total. The score was 120 runs for 4 wickets when Abhishek took guard and at the end of first innings the scorecard read 181 runs for 4 wickets.
Here’s how Twitterati reacted to the swashbuckling left-handed batsman’s skills –
These young kids just look so ready! #AbhishekSharma. Now looking forward to watching young Sandeep Lamichhane. Brilliant to see a player from Nepal in the #IPL!
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) May 12, 2018
#DD, did you really keep this kid—Abhishek Sharma out for so long??? Looks special…. #DDvRCB #IPL
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) May 12, 2018
Another India U19 players gets a chance at the #IPL2018 ….. Abhishek Sharma looks another outstanding prospect … !!! #India
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) May 12, 2018
Young Abhishek Sharma, not quite 18, turns spotlight on himself with some fantastic strokeplay. Shows richness of talent in Indian cricket
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) May 12, 2018
Abhishek Sharma has done something nobody has done all season – he’s made Gambhir smile #DDvRCB#IPL2018 #DilDilli pic.twitter.com/KAPRLPViYP
— Singham (@PappuDroga) May 12, 2018
Another output from #RahulDravid Productions, Abhishek Sharma. What an effortless but treat to the eyes kinda innings, mind you its never easy toying Tim Southee out of the part. A Star is Born @IPL @StarSportsIndia @bhogleharsha @mmbangwa #DDvRCB
— Rohan Kulkarni (@ManOfFewWordzz) May 12, 2018
Seems like Delhi were waiting for Abhishek Sharma’s board exams to get over before letting him play #DDvRCB
— Rohit Yadav (@rohityaaadav) May 12, 2018
#Sir one word to describe #abhisheksharma on his debut inning@IrfanPathan pic.twitter.com/e0NihxRlrz
— Aman Raina_45@ (@AmanRaina_45) May 12, 2018
Elegance & class of Abhishek Sharma reminds of old Yuvraj Singh. #DDvRCB
RACE3 TRAILER IN 3 DAYS
— Deνιℓ (@ibeingdevil__) May 12, 2018
Wooww
How many young extremely talented cricketer out there ? @IamAbhiSharma4 #AbhishekSharma (he’s not even 18)
Should have played earlier for the team in place of Shankar. Abhi is a genuine allrounder.@ipl #DDvRCB #RishabhPant #ipl @RCBTweets@DelhiDaredevils— samyak Jain (@jain_samyak17) May 12, 2018
Abhishek Sharma’s 46* off 19 is the highest score by a 17-year old in IPL.
He missed becoming the youngest to score a IPL fifty.
Looks like another special talent! #DDvRCB
— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) May 12, 2018
RCB players to Abhishek Sharma pic.twitter.com/Ic0N3xO6Yd
— Secret Santa (@Secret_Saanta) May 12, 2018
Here’s how Abhishek decimated RCB bowling attack in the death overs –
Abhishek Sharma’s IPL 2018 debuthttps://t.co/Z57OLoMaAU
— Faizal Khan (@faizalkhanm9) May 12, 2018
ALSO READ: IPL 2018: Mandeep ‘Rocket’ Sharma Flies To Save Boundary, Gets ‘Best Fielder’ Tag
After U-19 players like Prithvi Shaw, Shubman Gill and Shivam Mavi, Abhishek is the latest sensation to surface this IPL season. DD have three Under-19 players in their squad. They introduced Prithvi Shaw up the order after a few matches but gave Abhishek a chance only after they got knocked out of the tournament.
ALSO READ: IPL 2018: AB de Villiers-Virat Kohli Mix Up Leads To Shreyas Iyer’s Dropped Catch — Watch
Manjot Kalra is yet to make his IPL debut. DD might test him as well in the next match as their overseas opener Jason Roy and Colin Munro have not been consistent.
