IPL 2023: “We all believed that he can do this” – Abhishek Sharma on Harry Brook

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) batter Abhishek Sharma asserted that everyone in the franchise knew that Harry Brook was going to play the kind of innings that he did against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). However, Brook, who was struggling after getting out very cheaply in SRH’s first three matches of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023, became the first centurion of the ongoing edition of the cash-rich league on Friday, April 14 as well.

He smashed 100* off 55 balls against KKR at Eden Gardens, a swashbuckling knock featuring 12 fours and three sixes. However, SRH batted first after losing the toss and due to Brook’s heroics, they posted 228/4 on the board. In the chase, KKR managed 205/7. While speaking at a post-match conference after Hyderabad’s 23-run win, Sharma opined on Brook’s special knock. He said:

“We all believed that he can do this. It was just a matter of time. We have played together at the U-19 level. We all knew inside that he’s going to do something like this. That’s what he did today. If you see his innings in Tests, it’s almost the same as T20. He just reacts to the ball and plays his natural game, whatever the situation is.”

IPL 2023: Harry Brook played a scintillating knock

On the decision to move him up the order, the 22-year-old shared that the management wanted to utilize his skills against fast bowlers as well. Sharma added:

“Brook can take down any pace attack. That was plan; we backed Brook to open because I was injured in between. I think that was a very good decision by the coach and management. We all knew how he plays fast bowling. He can take on spinners as well.”

Apart from Harry Brook, SRH captain Aiden Markram also stepped up with the bat, contributing 50 off 26 with the help of two fours and five sixes as well.

With Harry Brook and Mayank Agarwal opening the innings, Abhishek Sharma came into bat at No. 5 on Friday. The left-hander played a quick 32 off 17 balls. While speaking about the change in his batting order, he said that coach Brian Lara was confident that he could play the spinners well. He expressed:

“When I was practicing after getting back from injury, I knew that I have to be a bit flexible. Harry couldn’t perform in the first 2-3 matches. Somehow, it was Brian’s (Lara) mind that we would push him to the top of the order. He thought that I could take on the spinners. It is a strategic decision, not a permanent one. Let’s see what happens in the future.”