Mentor Yuvraj Singh can be a demanding individual, and mentee Abhishek Sharma knows it best.
When the young India opener scored a duck on his T20I debut in Zimbabwe in July, Yuvraj had labelled it as a ‘good’ sign, Abhishek had revealed. In his second match on the subsequent day, Abhishek cracked a 47-ball hundred, making him the quickest Indian (in terms of innings) to record a T20I ton.
Returning to action for the first time in over two months on Sunday against Bangladesh, Abhishek beckoned a quick start in a 128-run chase in Gwalior before losing his wicket to a run-out against the run of play. Abhishek, on 16, set off on a quick single after his opening partner Sanju Samson had turned a delivery to mid-wicket. While Samson quickly objected to a single, Abhishek was far short of his crease; a direct-hit from Towhid Hridoy ended the 24-year-old’s seven-ball stay.
Tough Love
Shortly after India’s breezy win, Abhishek took to Instagram to share pictures from the game with the caption, ‘Every run, every ball–it’s all for the team’. However, Yuvraj made a surprise appearance as responded to a fan’s comment on Abhishek’s post. While the fan backed Abhishek, predicting a big knock was around the corner, Yuvraj cheekily added: “Only if we apply our brains properly.”
The two-time World Cup winner has mentored Abhishek over the years, playing a crucial role in elevating his power-hitting game.
Yuvraj’s comment on Abhishek Sharma’s Instagram post.
Shortly after Abhishek cracked his maiden T20I hundred, he credited his Punjab senior Yuvraj for the success.
“I spoke to him (Yuvraj) yesterday and he said I don’t know why but he was very happy when I was out on zero. He said that’s a good start. I think he must be very proud of me just like my family,” he told BCCI.tv in a video.
“I am playing at this level because of him. The hard work he has put on me. For the past two, three years he has really worked hard not only on my cricket even off the field as well,” Abhishek added.
Happy birthday sir Abhishek 🙏🏻 🎂 hope you take as many singles this year as many as you knock out of the park 🤪 Keep putting in the hard work! loads of love and wishes for a great year ahead! ❤️ @IamAbhiSharma4 pic.twitter.com/Y56tQ2jGHk
— Yuvraj Singh (@YUVSTRONG12) September 4, 2024
The fun banter continued when Yuvraj shared a post of their training session on Abhishek’s birthday in early September, requesting him to run more singles while batting.
Yuvraj captioned the post by writing, “Happy birthday sir, Abhishek. Hope you take as many singles this year as many as you knock out of the park. Keep putting in the hard work! loads of love and wishes for a great year ahead!”
Abhishek, who had a breakout IPL 2024 season with the SunRisers Hyderabad, has represented India in six T20Is, scoring 140 runs.
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