Abhishek Sharma with Yuvraj Singh
NEW DELHI: A viral video of Indian opener Abhishek Sharma practicing under the keen guidance of mentor Yuvraj Singh has captured the attention of cricket enthusiasts worldwide. The footage, widely circulated on social media after India’s exhilarating Super Four Asia Cup triumph over Pakistan, features Abhishek aggressively hitting sixes while Yuvraj offers crucial tactical advice and encouragement.
During the intense training session, Yuvraj playfully yet strategically advised, “Single bhi le lo Maharaj [take a single too],” encouraging Abhishek to balance his natural attacking style with smart rotation of strike. The two-time World Cup champion humorously concluded the session by saying, “Tu na sudhri, bas chakke maari jaayi, thale na kheli [you won’t change, hitting only sixes],” emphasizing Abhishek’s consistent powerful hitting.
A viral video showcasing Abhishek Sharma’s dynamic net session with Yuvraj Singh has gained significant traction online.
Abhishek’s father confirmed to TOI that Yuvraj has been a pivotal figure in his son’s cricketing journey. He stated, “Yuvi paaji played a big role in the upliftment of Abhishek’s game. He is his guru and always shares his experience. Yuvraj’s mantra to Abhishek has been: ‘play according to the situation of the game’,” underscoring the importance of prioritizing team success above personal milestones.
This dedicated mentorship has evidently yielded remarkable results. Abhishek has refined his aggressive style, honing his innate ability to clear the ropes while developing a more calculated approach under Yuvraj’s seasoned eye. “Back your hitting zones, don’t manufacture shots,” remains Yuvraj’s core guiding principle.
A video highlighting Abhishek Sharma’s massive sixes in the nets against Pakistan is circulating.
The impact of this guidance was vividly displayed in India’s impressive six-wicket victory against Pakistan. Abhishek blazed to a rapid 74 runs off just 39 balls, forming a crucial 105-run opening stand with Shubman Gill. He also shattered a T20I record, becoming the fastest among full-member nations to hit 50 sixes, reaching the milestone in a mere 331 deliveries, surpassing West Indies’ Evin Lewis (366). Among Indian batsmen, only skipper Suryakumar Yadav has achieved this feat in more deliveries, with 510 balls.
Abhishek revealed his aggressive batting was a direct response to Pakistan’s confrontational attitude on the field. “Today it was very simple, the way they were coming at us for no reason, I didn’t like it at all. This was the only way I could give medicine to them,” he boldly declared during the post-match presentation.
With his exceptional performances and continuous guidance from Yuvraj Singh, Abhishek Sharma is quickly establishing himself as a formidable T20I batter, consistently thrilling fans with his powerful yet intelligently crafted batting.