Indian T20I opener Abhishek Sharma recently featured on Breakfast With the Champions with Gaurav Kapoor, where he opened up on how Yuvraj Singh played a pivotal role in shaping his career.
During the lockdown, Abhishek recalled asking Yuvi for a short training camp. Without hesitation, Yuvraj agreed and hosted Abhishek, Shubman Gill, Prabhsimran, and Anmolpreet at his place for intense sessions.
“I was struggling back then. Honestly, I needed it. We were on a flight and I just asked him casually—and he said yes immediately,” Abhishek shared.
But it wasn’t just about the throwdowns and drills. Yuvraj went deep into their games.
“He would sit at home, watch our videos, take notes, and even screenshot things to compare our technique before and after. No one sees that side of Yuvi paaji,” Abhishek said. “Even during our 5-hour sessions, he would stay the entire time.”
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Abhishek Found Direction in Yuvraj’s Advice
There was also a mental shift. Abhishek admitted feeling left behind as his peers, like Shubman, were already playing for India. That’s when Yuvi stepped in with perspective:
“I’m not preparing you just to play IPL or wear the India cap I’m preparing you to win games for India. Write this down, it will happen in 2-3 years.” That one conversation changed everything for Abhishek.
Experts often draw parallels between Abhishek and Yuvraj not just because they're both left-handers but due to that fearless, aggressive intent. Much like Yuvi, Abhishek doesn’t hesitate to take on bowlers, even in high-pressure moments. And clearly, he's learning from the very best.
Asia Champion Abhishek Sharma scored 314 runs in the Asia Cup 2025, including three consecutive fifties, and ended the tournament as one of India’s top performers. Despite scoring just 5 off 6 balls in the final, his explosive starts throughout the tournament were crucial in setting the tone early in the innings.
With an average over 50 and a staggering strike rate above 200, Abhishek has now emerged as a dependable and established T20I opener and is now setting his sights on making a mark in the ODI format.
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