From Dubai, Indian opener Abhishek Sharma publicly thanked head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Suryakumar Yadav. He stated that their unwavering support through the ups and downs of his young international career was crucial, enabling him to play a fearless brand of cricket throughout the Asia Cup 2025.
India’s Abhishek Sharma gestures after winning the Player of the Tournament award.
Sharma emerged as the tournament’s top scorer, earning the Player of the Tournament title. He piled up an impressive 314 runs across seven innings, boasting an explosive strike rate of 200. His remarkable ability to hit sixes particularly stood out; the left-handed batsman smashed 19 maximums, more than any other player in the competition.
While India clinched the Asia Cup title with a dominant five-wicket victory over Pakistan in the final, the celebratory mood was somewhat marred by a notable controversy: the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) surprisingly failed to present the winning team with a trophy.
Abhishek, however, lightheartedly dismissed the trophy absence with a witty comment. “Of course, every team plans to win a trophy, and we actually got one – Surya bhai (Suryakumar Yadav) brought it! We touched it, we felt its weight. Ultimately, the joy and camaraderie in the dressing room after a win are far more important than anything else,” Sharma remarked with a smile.
Reflecting on his impactful performance during the tournament, Abhishek highlighted the profound influence of both Gambhir and Suryakumar in cultivating his confidence to take calculated risks as an opening batsman.
“Suryakumar and Gautam sir have instilled immense confidence in me,” he explained. “When you adopt a high-risk playing style, failures are inevitable. But their constant guidance and the way they supported me through those moments have allowed me to perform this way. That kind of backing is incredibly vital.”
The 25-year-old also lauded Suryakumar’s exemplary leadership throughout what proved to be a challenging campaign for the team.
“I really want to speak about Surya bhai first. As a batsman, going through a dry spell is incredibly tough. Yet, as a captain, he never allowed that pressure to show. Regardless of whether he scored a century or was dismissed cheaply, he maintained a positive attitude, always smiling and leading by example. This balance is the most remarkable quality I’ve observed in him, and it’s something I aspire to emulate,” Abhishek shared.
Reflecting on his personal journey, Abhishek acknowledged its rollercoaster nature but firmly believes this is merely the beginning. “I’ve dedicated countless hours to improving my game. To earn a spot in this team, I had to push myself beyond my limits. I truly believe this is just the start for our group, and many more extraordinary achievements await us – miracles will happen,” he concluded enthusiastically.