In the fast-paced and unpredictable world of T20 cricket, where failures often outnumber successes, Abhishek Sharma has already mastered the art of self-belief and fearless batting.
At just 24, the young Punjab batsman is rewriting record books, showcasing his aggressive yet calculated approach to the game.
Having made his international debut less than a year ago, Sharma arrived with a stellar IPL 2024 season for Sunrisers Hyderabad and a strong domestic reputation. He is now regarded as one of India's most promising power hitters, having already smashed two sensational T20I centuries. His latest feat-a blistering 37-ball hundred against England-now stands as the second-fastest century by an Indian in the format.
IND vs ENG: Abhishek Sharma smashed 135 (54) & registered the highest ever score for India in T20I History !
Role of Yuvraj Singh in Abhishek's career
It is no surprise that Yuvraj Singh's mentorship has played a crucial role in Abhishek's career growth. The batting approach of Abhishek mirrors the influence of the 2007 World Cup hero, which is a blend of Yuvraj trademark elegance and explosiveness.
''Yuvi Paaji was the one who believed me. When someone like him tells you that you will play for India and succeed in games, you start believing it too, ''Abhishek shared to PTI after his record breaking 135 off 54 balls against England. He attributed both Yuvraj Singh and Punjab coach Wasim Jaffer for infusing confidence in his game and shaping his fearless mindset.
Strong backing from Team management
The backing of the Indian team management along with his natural talent has played a vital role in his success story. Despite a few struggles, captain Hardik Pandya and vice-captain Suryakumar Yadav have continuously motivated him to stay aggressive. ''They asked me, 'to just believe in yourself, the runs will come,' and that gave me a lot of confidence,'' he disclosed.
The comeback of Gautam Gambhir as a mentor further resulted in uplifting the confidence. ''Gauti Paaji and Surya Paaji have supported me tremendously. It’s rare for a young player to get that kind of trust from seniors,'' he said to PTI.
Another one of the biggest influences on Sharma's approach has been none other than Brian Lara. ''Play your shots but make sure you don't get out.'' This balance between aggression and control became a defining trait in his performances. This skill was evident in the 2023-24 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy run, where he scored a massive 485 runs at an astonishing strike rate of 192.46.
With a potential to clear boundaries with ease, in comparison with Yuvraj Singh's six sixes in an over have already started. However, Sharma continues to be grounded, admitting the difficulty of matching such an iconic feat. ''I don't believe that record can be broken easily. Yuvi Paaji never planned it; it was just in a zone. It is something that just happened, ''he added.
With a growing reputation as one of India's most dynamic young batsman, Sharma's journey is just the beginning. His blend of fearlessness, wisdom and self -belief attained from the legends makes him the player to watch for in the upcoming years.
