Abhishek Sharma Sets New IPL Records Against Punjab Kings

In a thrilling match against Punjab Kings, Abhishek Sharma not only scored 35 runs but also broke significant IPL records, surpassing cricket icons KL Rahul and Chris Gayle. His remarkable performance included a strike rate of 269.93 and established him as the leading player for the most sixes in IPL after 85 innings. Additionally, he became the first opener to score over 30 runs at a strike rate of 200 or more on 14 occasions. This article delves into his achievements and the selection of an alternative T20 playing XI for India.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 6, 2026, 23:40 IST

Abhishek Sharma Shines in IPL Match

In the 49th match of IPL 2026 against Punjab Kings, Hyderabad's opener Abhishek Sharma scored a quickfire 35 runs. His performance not only contributed to the team's efforts but also allowed him to break two significant records, surpassing cricketing legends KL Rahul and Chris Gayle. Abhishek's innings included 4 sixes and 2 fours, achieving a remarkable strike rate of 269.93.

Abhishek Surpasses KL Rahul

With his four sixes against Punjab, Abhishek has now claimed the top spot for the most sixes hit in IPL after 85 innings, totaling 137 sixes. KL Rahul previously held this record with 134 sixes in the same number of innings. Following them in the rankings are Shivam Dube, Yuvraj Singh, and Rishabh Pant.

Breaking Chris Gayle's Record

Abhishek's innings at a strike rate of 269.93 also made him the player with the most innings scoring over 30 runs at a strike rate of 200 or more as an opener, achieving this feat for the 14th time. Chris Gayle had accomplished this 13 times.

Alternative T20 Playing XI Selected

During IPL 2026, a former West Indies legend selected an alternative T20 playing XI for India based on current form. This team includes players like Vaibhav, Gill, Chahal, Bhuvneshwar, and Shreyas.