Picture Credit: X/IPL
The SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) hosted the Punjab Kings (PBKS) on Sunday, May 19 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. While the Jitesh Sharma-led side had nothing to lose in it, the Pat Cummins-led side had their eyes on the top to finish in the IPL 2024 points table despite securing qualification for the playoffs.
With a brilliant 66-run knock, the Orange Army sealed off with a four-wicket win and finished the league stage with a second-place finish. After this victory, SRH’s star player Abhishek Sharma opened up on the special ‘L’ celebration. In a video shared by the IPL, Sharma said that his half-century celebration gesture was a personal connection between him and Travis Head.
“L - I started in the very first match, me and Travis Head did it. For me and for him, it's very personal, we told everyone that it's about love, so we are spreading love,” Abhishek said.
Watch Abhishek reveal the reason behind this ‘L-gesture’ celebration:
Grateful to celebrate this with my family: Abhishek Sharma
The Indian batter, who has risen to the ranks for the Hyderabad-based franchise and has been a key contributor to the team’s success, spoke volumes of having his family by his side. “My entire family, except for my dad, had come here to support me. So it is really special for me that my family is there with me in moments like these. So, I am very grateful to have this opportunity to celebrate with them,” the 23-year-old said.
"If you keep on winning, it is really important to have that momentum. As all the teams are equal, I don't think you can say anyone is better or worse. IPL is a game of momentum. Ahead of the playoffs, I just wanted the team to win before going to the playoffs," Abhishek added.
The Pat Cummins-led SunRisers Hyderabad will next play table-toppers in Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Tuesday, May 21 in Qualifier 1. While the winner of this fixture will make it to the final of IPL 2024, the loser will get one more chance and face the winner of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Rajasthan Royals clash in Qualifier 2.
