"Nobody expected him to say something like this" - Abhishek Sharma's shocking 'abuse' revelation on Rahul Dravid
Published - 23 Jul 2024, 04:19 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 01:16 AM
![Abhishek Sharma, Rahul Dravid](https://static.cricketaddictor.com/images/2024/AbhishekSharmaRahulDravid.webp?q=80)
India opener Abhishek Sharma has made a revelation about legendary Rahul Dravid that is bound to leave the cricketing fraternity shocked.
While the left-handed batsman did not get the opportunity to play for the senior Indian team when Dravid was the head coach, he did play under his coaching during his Under-19 days. Before becoming Team India's head coach in 2021, Dravid had plied his trade as the coach of India U-19 and India A.
Talking about Dravid, the former India skipper made a name for himself not only for his unbelievable exploits with the bat but also his calm nature. The legendary batsman is widely regarded as one of the nicest men in cricket.
Well, it looks like Dravid has another side too and Abhishek Sharma recently revealed that side. The Punjab star has revealed how Dravid told the India U-19 players to give Bangladesh players a taste of their own medicine. The Bangladesh players were abusing the Indian players and Dravid gave the team the green light to return the favor during the game between the two teams at the 2018 Under-19 World Cup.
"We had lost to Bangladesh in the U-19 Asia Cup. When we faced them again in the World Cup, Rahul Dravid told us that if they abuse, you also give it back. Nobody expected him to say something like this. We are all very pumped up for that match," Abhishek Sharma said on former Under-19 teammate Manjot Kalra's YouTube channel.
India had gone on to register a heavy win in that game. They had bowled out Bangladesh for just 134 runs to win the game by 131 runs. Abhishek Sharma had made an impact with both bat and ball in that contest, scoring a half-century before taking a couple of wickets for just 11 runs in 5 overs.
When Abhishek Sharma smashed a 25-ball ton:
Speaking further, Abhishek Sharma also opened up about his whirlwind 25-ball century that he smashed during a recent local T20 match in Gurugram. The southpaw stated that he was not bothered about winning or losing but just wanted to entertain the large number of fans who had gathered to watch the game.
"A lot of people had gathered there once they got to know that we were playing. It was a weekend, so there was a big crowd. They had given us a target of 260.
"I told my friend that people have gathered, and it doesn't matter if we win or not, but they should get entertainment. I did not open in that match because I hadn't even carried my kit bag. So, I called for my kit bag and then went to bat at No. 3 or No. 4," said Sharma.
Chasing 250 runs, Abhishek Sharma's team Punters were reeling at 26 for 2 in 4 overs when he came out to bat. From thereon, it was one-way traffic as the highly-rated opener took the opposition bowlers to the cleaners. He went on to hit 14 sixes and 4 fours and completed the century off just 25 balls. Punters went on to chase down the total with 11 balls remaining.