The 2026 Indian Premier League is set to begin on March 28 with a big opening match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Ahead of the new season, former India opener Aakash Chopra has shared a strong opinion about SRH batter Abhishek Sharma. According to Chopra, Sharma still has not had a proper breakout season in the IPL despite playing several years in the tournament.
He believes IPL 2026 could finally be the season where Sharma delivers his best performance.
Aakash Chopra’s Breakout Season Prediction
During a cricket discussion show, Chopra said that Abhishek Sharma has shown flashes of brilliance but has not yet produced a complete dominant season in the IPL.
He explained that Sharma has the talent to become one of the most impactful batters in the league if he converts good starts into big scores.
Chopra believes that the upcoming season could be the moment when Sharma finally proves his full potential.
Chopra’s Key View
| Topic | Insight |
|---|---|
| Player discussed | Abhishek Sharma |
| Current expectation | Possible breakout IPL season |
| Reason | Strong talent but lack of one dominant season |
Abhishek Sharma’s IPL Journey
Abhishek Sharma is now 24 years old and has already spent several seasons in the IPL. He is known for his aggressive batting at the top of the order for Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Even though he has played important innings for the team, he has not yet crossed 500 runs in a single IPL season.
Also See : IPL 2026 Setback: Sam Curran and Jack Edwards Ruled Out, RR and SRH Face Early Problems
Abhishek Sharma IPL Performance Snapshot
| Season | Runs | Average | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| IPL 2024 | 484 | 32.27 | 204.22 |
| IPL 2025 | Similar numbers | Similar numbers | Similar numbers |
In IPL 2024, Sharma played a key role in SRH’s batting lineup with fast scoring and aggressive starts. His strike rate above 200 showed his ability to dominate bowlers.
However, he has not yet produced a very large season with multiple big scores.
Expectations From SRH in IPL 2026
Sunrisers Hyderabad will be hoping that Abhishek Sharma converts his strong starts into match-winning innings this season.
For SRH, a big season from Sharma could be crucial if the team wants to compete strongly for the title.
What SRH Needs From Sharma
| Area | Importance |
|---|---|
| Consistent runs | Strengthens top order |
| Big scores | Helps team post large totals |
| Fast starts | Builds pressure on opponents |
If Sharma turns his aggressive starts into longer innings, it could make a big difference for the team.
Sharma’s Performance in T20 World Cup 2026
Abhishek Sharma also played for the India national cricket team during the T20 World Cup 2026.
His tournament began slowly because he was dealing with illness during the group stage. However, he later returned with a strong performance.
He scored an important half-century against New Zealand national cricket team in the final, showing his ability to perform in big matches.
The upcoming IPL season could be an important one for Abhishek Sharma. Fans and experts will be watching closely to see if he finally produces a complete breakout campaign.
The opening match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad will mark the start of the new season and could set the tone for Sharma’s performance.
