IPL 2024: Abhishek Sharma Reveals His Idol

Young Indian all-rounder Abhishek Sharma thanked former all-rounder Yuvraj Singh for helping him become the player he is today and for always supporting him in his tough times. The 23-year-old revealed quite a lot of things about his career until now in a recent interview and he couldn’t help but mention his idol who played a major role in helping team India win its last T20 and 50 over World Cups.

Abhishek Sharma is one of India’s top talents who came under the radar due to his exploits in domestic cricket and IPL. He is among those talented aggressive batters who are waiting for their chance to represent the overcrowded Indian national team, which is going to vie for their first ICC silverware since 2013 during the T20 World Cup this summer in the USA and West Indies.

Abhishek was among those players who won the ICC U-19 CWC trophy back in 2018 under the captaincy of Prithvi Shaw and head coaching of Rahul Dravid. His most memorable knock in the tournament had come during a 100-run win against Australia where he smacked an 8-ball 23 with a strike rate of nearly 290.

His all-round performances were key for the team’s run towards the final where they had defeated the Aussies yet again by 8 wickets at the Bay Oval. Right after the U-19 WC win, Abhishek Sharma was rewarded with an IPL contract as Delhi Daredevils had acquired him for his base price of 55 lakhs.

He emphatically announced himself on his debut, scoring 46* off just 19 balls before being traded to Sunrisers Hyderabad ahead of the 2019 season, the same franchise where his idol won his first IPL title. After playing 16 games from 2019-2021, it was in 2022 that Abhishek Sharma experienced his breakout season.

The 23-year-old started to open for Hyderabad and it changed his fate entirely. He scored 426 runs that season at a 130+ strike rate with 2 half-centuries. Last year, he played 11 matches and scored 226 but with an improved strike rate of 140+.

Though he has yet to do something that raises eyebrows there is no denying the fact that Abhishek Sharma is another raw talent coming from Punjab, a state that has given many top talents to the national team.

“Whatever Technical Adjustments I Needed Was Done By Yuvi Paaji”

In a recent interview, Abhishek Sharma heaped praise on the guidance Yuvraj Singh has offered to him. The youngster said that Yuvraj has given him many suggestions like staying in the present, not thinking about outcomes, giving his best every time and not thinking about selection in the Indian team.

Abhishek also revisited the first time he met Yuvraj Singh in the Punjab dressing room as a newcomer and how he started following Yuvi’s training regimes and developed a strong bond. He also revealed that Yuvraj has played a major role in his improved batting technique and claimed that there cannot be a better guide than him.

“Yuvi paaji always tells me not to think about results. I try to focus on what is in front of me. If I start staying in the present and do well then my dreams will be achieved. Whatever technical adjustments I need it was done by Yuvi Paaji.” – Abhishek Sharma said to Hindustan Times.

Abhishek Sharma Opens Up On Yuvraj Singh’s Role In His Career

“He was my idol when I started playing cricket. I always wanted to be like him. I first met him in the Punjab team. He was available for a few matches and I had just entered the team. I used to follow whatever he was doing.”

“Then I don’t know how we developed such a strong bond. Maybe he saw something in me. He always guides me. He really backs me. Whenever I get out for a low score, he always talks to me.” – Abhishek Sharma concluded.