SunRisers Hyderabad cricketer Abhishek Sharma does not doubt “eating the head” of the team’s batting coach, Brian Lara, also his childhood idol. The youngster said he stayed around Lara through the team’s practice sessions, extracting all the understanding he could from the 53-year-old West Indian legend.
Lara has a huge following worldwide among the best left-handed batters ever to enhance the game. His flair, mental stability, and ability to play under pressure haven’t been matched by many These are why the ‘Orange Army’ bound him into guiding their batters ahead of TATA IPL 2022.
Talking ahead of SunRisers’ game against Delhi Capitals on Thursday, Abhishek Sharma said watching the legend’s videos as a kid. The 21-year-old said this season is the first chance he has had to meet Lara and doesn’t want to miss it.
“(How much he has learned from him?) A lot. I stay with him most of the time during practice. There’s a lot to learn from him. This is the first time I have met him. Obviously, I have watched his videos since I was a kid. So now that I’ve got the opportunity to work with him, I eat his head a lot!”
Our young opener is moving in only one direction on this chart 🆙🧡@IamAbhiSharma4 | #SRHvCSK #OrangeArmy #ReadyToRise #TATAIPL pic.twitter.com/lmpxO6zkMS
— SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers) May 2, 2022
Lara’s effect seems to be already showing in Abhishek’s match. After ten games this season, he is the top runner for the SunRisers, with 324 runs at an average of 36. His shift to the top of the order has been a prophecy for the franchise, with the left-hander performing the aggressor in the opening partnership with Kane Williamson.
“I was just waiting for this opportunity” – Abhishek Sharma Describes
Captain’s knock! 👏@IamAbhiSharma4 got Punjab off to a sensational start, while scoring a superb 9️⃣8️⃣ 🧡https://t.co/0Zkq59JY49#OrangeArmy #ReadyToRise #RanjiRisers #PUNvHP
— SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers) February 19, 2022
Asked for the reason behind his achievement this season, Abhishek Sharma answered he took confidence from his exploits in his home state Punjab and continued his focus on the possibility.
“My only focus was to give my best whenever I get this opportunity to open for my team. Because I had started to open for my state and did well there. I was just waiting for this opportunity. All the support staff, even Kane, supported me so I felt this is the time to prove myself.”
Although he has emerged as one of the best young batters of the match, Abhishek’s handy left-arm spin has lost from the scene this season. He’s now expected for that opportunity, too, to get ready with the team’s spin-bowling coach, the legendary Muttiah Muralitharan.
“I am just waiting for that opportunity as well. I have been practicing a lot for that including, obviously, working with Murali sir as well.”