Abhishek Sharma, who made a mockery of Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) bowlers during an Indian Premier League (IPL) 2018 game at the Feroz Shah Kotla ground in New Delhi, said that Delhi Daredevils (DD) teammates were left stunned with his unbeaten blistering 46 off 19 balls.
The 17-year-old, who was part of the India U-19 World Cup winning team in February, made his debut for Delhi on May 13. Born September 4, 2000, Abhishek became the second-youngest IPL debutant after Afghanistan’s Mujeeb-ur-Rahman.
In a video shared by DD on their official Twitter handle, Abhiskek revealed that it was their coach Ricky Ponting who informed him that he was going to debut.
“Ahead of the game, I was batting in the nets during the team’s practice session at Ferozshah Kotla. I urged Ricky sir (Ricky Ponting) to allow me to bat a little more. So, he said yes. During that session, I batted superbly. Following this Ricky sir hinted that I might get to play tomorrow.”
“On the match day, he (Ricky Ponting) texted me that I am in playing XI. I became very excited,” Abhishek said.
Coming to bat at number 6, Abhiskek announced his arrival with a four off Mohammad Siraj. The southpaw then smashed Tim Southee for two sixes and a four. During his unbeaten 46-run knock, Abhishek smashed three fours and four sixes to guide his team to post a respectable total of 181 against a batting-heavy side RCB.
Abhishek Sharma talks about his impressive debut vs RCB and everything about it! _#DilDilli #Dhadkega pic.twitter.com/ijGOSCfPQJ
— Delhi Daredevils (@DelhiDaredevils) 15 May 2018
Abhishek said that everyone in the dugout was left stunned.
“During the team’s net session, I usually used to bowl much than batting. The seniors and foreigners didn’t know much that I know batting as well. After my debut all the players were left in shocked as they realised that I can bat also,” Abhishek said in the video.
DD, however, lost that match and their hopes to make it to the playoffs were dashed. Currently, they are at the bottom of the points table with just three wins in 12 games they have played so far.
Earlier, DD bought Abhishek for Rs 55 lakh during the IPL players’ auction held in Bengaluru in January.
