From Dubai, news emerged of Abhishek Sharma’s insightful Instagram post, where he shared his philosophy: “safal kyunki sabr bahut ae” (I am achieving success because I possess immense patience). This simple yet profound statement echoes the age-old wisdom that true achievements are built over time, not overnight.
Abhishek Sharma’s journey has been a testament to this very principle. Unlike some of his contemporaries like Shubman Gill and Prithvi Shaw, he didn’t instantly burst onto the scene. Though he joined the Punjab senior team shortly after the U-19 World Cup, he initially lacked the natural elegance and flair that captivated audiences during net sessions.
His early days were challenging; senior Punjab bowlers would playfully (or perhaps not so playfully) boast about dismissing him with the new ball in just three deliveries. And often, they did, sometimes even bullying him on the field. However, amidst these trials, Abhishek found an invaluable mentor in the legendary Yuvraj Singh.
Recently, throwback videos of Yuvraj Singh rigorously training both Abhishek and Shubman during the COVID-19 lockdown have resurfaced, highlighting the dedication poured into their development.
Before the tournament kicked off, Abhishek’s father, Rajkumar Sharma, shared insights into the strict regimen Yuvraj had outlined for his son. “When I first saw the timetable, I wondered if he could actually stick to it,” his father recalled. “But Abhishek, with a hint of hesitation, responded, ‘Yuvraj Singh has given it to me; I have to follow it.’”
The instructions were precise and demanding: wake up at 4 AM, meditate for 30 minutes, swim in cold water for 45 minutes, hit the gym, and only then proceed to the cricket ground.
“He would arrive at the ground by 7 AM, but his day truly began at 4. By the time he faced bowlers, his concentration was so sharp that he effortlessly read their lengths,” Abhishek’s father explained during a visit to Team India’s practice session in Dubai, prior to their Super Four encounter with Pakistan.
Abhishek’s destructive batting prowess truly emerged during IPL 2024. He amassed an astounding 484 runs in just 16 matches, boasting an incredible strike rate of 204.22. Remarkably, he was the first batsman to cross the 400-run mark in the tournament without facing more than 30 balls in any single innings – a testament to his explosive hitting.
Beyond the numbers, it was his unique and powerful bat swing that truly captivated onlookers.
Historically, hitting through the line in T20Is was an art form reserved for classical batsmen, exemplified by Virat Kohli’s iconic six off Haris Rauf in the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the 2022 T20 World Cup. This elegant strokeplay was often considered superior to brute power-hitting. However, Abhishek effortlessly redefined this perception. His approach is so deceptively simple that, looking back, his phenomenal performances in recent games appear almost inevitable.
Yuvraj Singh had another unconventional recommendation: for Abhishek to take up golf. The Amritsar-born cricketer initially hesitated, fearing he wouldn’t excel at it. It was none other than Brian Lara who ultimately persuaded him, suggesting that golf could significantly improve his six-hitting ability.
“He was keen on anything that would help him hit more sixes, so he embraced the sport,” Rajkumar Sharma revealed.
Through golf, Yuvraj meticulously honed Abhishek’s stance. Months of dedicated practice allowed Abhishek to perfect it, noticeably improving his powerful bat swing.
“Lara explained that golf would not only sharpen his concentration but also aid his ability to pick up ball lengths more effectively,” added Sharma senior.
Playing alongside Travis Head for Sunrisers Hyderabad under captain Pat Cummins further shaped Abhishek’s game. It was here that he fully absorbed the quintessential Australian cricketing philosophy: “fear none, let them fear you.”
His father recounted Cummins’ powerful words: “Pat told him, ‘I want every bowler in this tournament to be intimidated by you. Don’t fear getting out. Don’t just aim for the boundary ropes; aim for the stands.’ This unwavering confidence from his captain completely eradicated Abhishek’s fear of failure.”
The recent Asia Cup has truly been Abhishek Sharma’s breakout tournament. His explosive batting has become the focal point of discussions, with opponents visibly intimidated by his presence at the crease.
His performance speaks volumes: he leads the tournament with an impressive 309 runs, significantly ahead of Pathum Nissanka’s 261. Among Indian batters, the next closest is Tilak Varma with 144 runs. Furthermore, Abhishek stands alone as the only batsman with a strike rate exceeding 200 (204.64) – a truly remarkable feat.
He has unequivocally transformed into an enforcer, a veritable nightmare for any bowler. Yet, ironically, the true secret behind his spectacular success lies in “sabr” (patience), even as his bat unleashes pure destruction on the field – a fact that any bowler facing him would readily confirm.
As his mentor Yuvraj Singh playfully remarked in a video, “Tu na sudhri bas, chakke maari jaaye, thalle na kheli” (You simply won’t change… you just keep hitting sixes, try hitting along the ground too!).