Yuvraj Singh Has One Motto for Protege Abhishek Sharma as SRH Star’s 135 Enters IPL Elite List

Abhishek Sharma delivered one of the most explosive knocks of IPL 2026, hammering an unbeaten 135 off 68 balls to power Sunrisers Hyderabad to a commanding 47-run victory over Delhi Capitals, with mentor Yuvraj Singh leading the praise after the innings. The knock now stands as the fifth-highest individual score in IPL history, further cementing Abhishek's growing reputation as one of the tournament's most dangerous openers.

SRH piled up a formidable 242 for 2 on a flat Hyderabad surface, with Abhishek dominating the Delhi attack through a calculated blend of timing and brute force. His innings featured 10 sixes and 10 boundaries, setting up a total that ultimately proved far beyond Delhi's reach as they were restricted to 195 for 9.

Following the match, Yuvraj Singh publicly acknowledged his protégé's performance on social media, urging him to stay committed to his development process. "Let the bat do the work... getting better each day, well played sir Abhishek," Yuvraj wrote, reinforcing the mentor-student bond that has shaped Abhishek's recent rise.

Abhishek Sharma 135 enters elite list

Abhishek's latest effort places him among some of the most iconic batting performances in IPL history. The innings now ranks fifth on the all-time list of highest individual scores, joining legendary knocks such as Chris Gayle's 175 not out and Brendon McCullum's 158.

What made the innings particularly striking was its sustained aggression without reckless risk. Even by his own attacking standards, Abhishek maintained remarkable tempo, bringing up his century in just 47 balls before accelerating again in the death overs. Despite signs of fatigue late in the innings, he continued to find boundaries and carried his bat through the full 20 overs.

His opening partnership of 97 runs with Travis Head laid the foundation, while a rapid 79-run stand with Ishan Kishan in under six overs ensured SRH never lost momentum through the middle phase of the innings. Heinrich Klaasen later added late impetus with an unbeaten cameo, pushing the total into near-unassailable territory.

Yuvraj Singh continues to shape Abhishek Sharma

Abhishek's rapid development in recent seasons has frequently been linked to the influence of Yuvraj Singh, whose mentorship has helped refine both his technique and match awareness. The Hyderabad opener's ability to adjust his shot selection based on bowling pace and length was evident throughout the innings, particularly against seamers where he consistently played late and targeted scoring areas in front of the wicket.

With another record-breaking innings now added to his resume, Abhishek continues to build a reputation as one of the IPL's most destructive young batters-one capable of transforming matches single-handedly when conditions align in his favor.