From the vibrant cricket hub of Dubai, India’s dynamic opener, Abhishek Sharma, recently shared heartfelt gratitude for the unwavering support from head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Suryakumar Yadav. He revealed that their consistent encouragement, even through challenging moments, was instrumental in allowing him to unleash his fearless batting approach throughout the Asia Cup 2025.
Sharma truly lit up the tournament, emerging as its top scorer and rightfully earning the prestigious Player of the Tournament award. His incredible tally of 314 runs across just seven innings, struck at an astonishing rate of 200, captivated audiences. What truly made headlines was his phenomenal six-hitting ability, smashing 19 maximums – more than any other batter in the competition.
While India clinched the Asia Cup title with a dominant five-wicket victory over arch-rivals Pakistan in the final, the post-match celebrations were overshadowed by an unexpected controversy. The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) notably failed to present the victorious Indian squad with an actual trophy. Sharma, ever the character, addressed this bizarre situation with a playful jab.
“Naturally, every team dreams of winning a trophy,” Abhishek quipped with a smile. “And we actually got one — Surya bhai brought it! We held it, we felt its weight. Honestly, the joy in the dressing room and the incredible atmosphere after our win mean far more than anything else.”
Delving deeper into his stellar performance, Abhishek highlighted how crucial Gambhir and Suryakumar’s influence was in building his confidence to take calculated risks at the top of the batting order.
“Both Surya bhai and Gautam sir have given me immense confidence,” he explained. “When you adopt a high-risk playing style, failures are inevitable. But the way they supported me, the way they communicated with me during those tough times – that’s precisely why I’m able to play the way I do. Having that kind of unwavering support is incredibly vital.”
The 25-year-old also lauded Suryakumar’s exceptional leadership, particularly during what proved to be a demanding campaign.
“I really wanted to acknowledge Surya bhai first,” Abhishek stated. “As a batsman, when you’re struggling for runs, it’s incredibly tough. But as a captain, he never once let that frustration show. Whether he scored a century or got out early, he was always smiling, always leading by example. That’s the finest quality I’ve observed in him, and it’s a balance I aspire to learn.”
Reflecting on his personal journey through the sport, Abhishek acknowledged the many highs and lows but remained steadfast in his belief that this is merely the beginning of something special. “I’ve dedicated significant effort to honing my game,” he concluded. “To earn a spot in this team, I had to push myself harder than ever. I truly believe this is just the dawn for us as a group. There’s so much more to come – I’m confident miracles will happen.”