IPL 2026: Faf du Plessis compares SRH star with Chris Gayle, says 'He is just a bully...'

Sunrisers Hyderabad secured their third consecutive win by defeating Delhi Capitals with a great margin of 47 runs in their IPL 2026 clash on Tuesday, April 21 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad. SRH opener Abhishek Sharma was awarded with the Player of the Match award for his astonishing innings of unbeaten 135 off 68 deliveries.

Faf du Plessis calls Abhishek Sharma a "bully"

Former South Africa cricketer Faf du Plessis was highly impressed with Abhishek Sharma's power hitting and praised his ability to take the game under his control while playing on flat-tracks.

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In an interaction with ESPNCricinfo, Faf du Plessis lavished praise on Abhishek Sharma after his spectacular innings against DC and compared him with Chris Gayle, saying that the SRH opener is really dangerous on a flat-track like Hyderabad.

The former CSK batter claimed that Abhishek Sharma becomes an elite batter while playing at pitch which has no grip or swing.

"Unbelievable batsmanship. The power is back. Also, you look at the second over of off spin and I was like, 'the pitch looked amazing'. It just skidded on, no swing, no grip. So, on a night like that is when you feel Abhishek Sharma is elite because there is nothing on offer. He is just a bully if it's a good pitch. And that's what that opening pair has done over the last 2-3 seasons. On a flat track, he is almost like a Chris Gayle. He is that dangerous while batting."

Abhishek Sharma's great IPL 2026 so far

Abhishek Sharma is going through a red-hot form in IPL 2026 for Sunrisers Hyderabad, scoring massive 324 runs in just seven innings at an average of 46.29 with a humongous strike rate of 215.10 with the help of three fifty-plus scores in the tournament.

The star Indian batter has hit a total of 27 sixes and 25 fours in the ongoing season. The lefty-batter has amassed 262 runs only from boundaries this season.

Next game for Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2026

After securing a thumping win against Delhi Capitals, SRH will turn their heads to face Rajasthan Royals in their upcoming IPL 2026 clash on Saturday, April 25 at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur.

Currently SRH sit at third place in the standings with eight points in hand after playing seven matches in the tournament with a net run rate of +0.820.