Abhishek Sharma’s explosive century has secured Sunrisers Hyderabad’s place in the IPL 2026 record books, with his unbeaten 135 off 68 balls against Delhi Capitals standing as the fifth-highest individual score in tournament history. The innings, played at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, powered Sunrisers to a commanding 242 for 2 and a 47-run victory that moved them into the top three of the points table.
Sharma’s knock featured 10 sixes and 10 boundaries, a blend of power and precision that left the Delhi Capitals bowlers searching for answers. His century came off just 52 balls, one of the fastest in IPL history, and took him past Virat Kohli’s previous benchmark of eight T20 centuries to equal the Indian record for most centuries in the format. The partnership with Heinrich Klaasen, who remained unbeaten on 61, yielded 154 runs for the second wicket as Sunrisers posted their highest total of the season.
The win was Sunrisers’ third consecutive victory and lifted them to 14 points from nine matches, level with Royal Challengers Bengaluru but ahead on net run rate. Delhi Capitals, despite a late surge from Rishabh Pant’s 45 off 28 balls, fell short of the target, finishing on 195 for 8. Bhuvneshwar Kumar claimed 3 for 32, while T Natarajan and Marcus Stoinis chipped in with two wickets each to restrict the chase.
Abhishek Sharma’s innings now ranks behind only Chris Gayle’s 175, Brendon McCullum’s 158*, Quinton de Kock’s 140, and KL Rahul’s 132* in the all-time IPL individual scores list. It is the highest score by an Indian batsman in the tournament, surpassing KL Rahul’s 132* for Kings XI Punjab in 2020. Sharma’s strike rate of 198.53 during the innings was the highest among all centurions in IPL history.
Speaking after the match, Sharma said he had “backed his instincts” and credited the team’s preparation for the performance. “We knew the pitch would be quality for batting, and we wanted to start strong,” he said. “When you receive a start like that, you try to cash in. The boys backed me up well in the field, and that made the difference.” Sunrisers captain Ishan Kishan praised Sharma’s temperament, calling it “a match-defining innings from a player who’s been working hard behind the scenes.”
The victory keeps Sunrisers in contention for a direct playoff berth, with five matches remaining in the league stage. Their next fixture is against Gujarat Titans on Friday, April 25, 2026, at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Delhi Capitals will look to bounce back when they host Rajasthan Royals on Sunday, April 27, 2026, at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Latest Delhi.
As the IPL 2026 season enters its business end, performances like Sharma’s underscore the growing impact of power hitters in shaping match outcomes. His ability to accelerate in the middle overs while maintaining a high strike rate has added a new dimension to Sunrisers’ batting lineup, giving them flexibility to chase or set targets depending on match situations.
For fans wanting to follow the latest IPL 2026 updates, match schedules, and points table standings, the official IPL website provides real-time scoring and video highlights. Broadcasters Star Sports and JioCinema continue to offer live coverage across India and select international markets.
What stands out most about Abhishek Sharma’s innings is not just the volume of runs but the manner in which they were scored—calm under pressure, aggressive when needed, and consistently effective against both pace and spin. It is a performance that will be remembered as a defining moment in his career and a benchmark for future batters in the IPL.
Stay tuned to World Today Journal for ongoing coverage of IPL 2026, including expert analysis, player interviews, and exclusive behind-the-scenes stories from the tournament.
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