Abhishek Sharma Dedicates Blistering Maiden IPL Century to the Orange Army

Posted by By Cricket Enthusiast

Abhishek Sharma Dedicates Blistering Maiden IPL Century to the Orange Army

In a night of pure cricketing fireworks at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Sunrisers Hyderabad’s explosive opener Abhishek Sharma etched his name into the annals of IPL history with a breathtaking maiden century against Punjab Kings in the Indian Premier League 2025. The 24-year-old left-hander reached the magical three-figure mark off just 40 balls, registering the third-fastest century by an Indian in IPL history.

Abhishek’s sensational knock placed him behind only Yusuf Pathan (37 balls, Rajasthan Royals vs Mumbai Indians, 2010) and Priyansh Arya (39 balls, Punjab Kings vs Chennai Super Kings, 2025) among Indian batters. The all-time record, however, remains with the legendary Chris Gayle, who smashed a 30-ball ton for Royal Challengers Bangalore against Pune Warriors India in 2013.

What truly stole the show was Abhishek’s celebration. Upon reaching his century, he pulled out a folded note from his pocket with the message, ‘This one is for Orange Army’, a heartfelt dedication to the passionate fans of Sunrisers Hyderabad. The gesture sent the Hyderabad crowd into a frenzy, with social media erupting as the images went viral across platforms.

Here’s a look at the fastest centuries in IPL history (by balls faced):

  • 30 – Chris Gayle (RCB vs PWI, Bengaluru, 2013)
  • 37 – Yusuf Pathan (RR vs MI, Mumbai, 2010)
  • 38 – David Miller (KXIP vs RCB, Mohali, 2013)
  • 39 – Travis Head (SRH vs RCB, Bengaluru, 2024)
  • 39 – Priyansh Arya (PBKS vs CSK, Mullanpur, 2025)
  • 40 – Abhishek Sharma (SRH vs PBKS, Hyderabad, 2025)

Chasing a daunting target of 246 set by Punjab Kings, Abhishek, who was retained by SRH for a staggering Rs 14 crore ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction, laid the foundation for a memorable victory. He forged a scintillating 171-run opening partnership with Australian dynamo Travis Head (66), marking the second-highest opening stand in Sunrisers Hyderabad’s illustrious history.

Abhishek’s innings was a masterclass in aggression and precision, studded with towering sixes and crisp boundaries. His fearless approach dismantled the Punjab Kings bowling attack, turning a high-pressure chase into a spectacle of dominance. This knock wasn’t just a personal milestone; it was a statement of intent from a young batter who has become a cornerstone of SRH’s batting lineup since his debut in 2018.

Having played a pivotal role in SRH’s campaign over the years, Abhishek’s journey from a promising talent to a match-winner has been inspiring. His ability to adapt to different situations, whether anchoring or accelerating, has earned him accolades from cricketing pundits. This century, in a must-win clash, underscored his growing stature as one of the most exciting young talents in Indian cricket.

As the Orange Army roared in approval, Abhishek’s tribute to them resonated beyond the scoreboard. It was a reminder of the unbreakable bond between a team and its fans—a bond that fuels performances like these. With IPL 2025 heating up, all eyes will be on this dynamic southpaw to see if he can sustain this red-hot form and lead SRH to glory.

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