Ricky Ponting Recalls Pleading with Delhi Capitals to Retain ‘Superstar’ Abhishek Sharma

Former Australian captain and Delhi Capitals head coach Ricky Ponting has revealed the high regard he held for Abhishek Sharma during the Sunrisers Hyderabad opener's early days in the IPL. Ponting recalled Abhishek's debut with the Capitals in 2018, noting the immediate impact the then 17-year-old made with his classical straight-bat hitting.

Ponting admitted that he strongly opposed the franchise's decision to trade the young talent away from Delhi. He saw the potential for greatness early on, recognizing Abhishek as an "absolute superstar in the making." This early assessment has been thoroughly validated by Abhishek's subsequent explosive success, particularly with SRH, where he has become one of the most feared openers in the T20 format.

Abhishek Sharma has since become a cornerstone of the Sunrisers Hyderabad batting unit, setting a new trend for aggressive opening alongside Travis Head in the 2024 season. Ponting's recollection highlights the foresight of identifying world-class talent even before their peak performance.