Abhishek cheekily reacts to Yuvraj's praise after 135 against England
What's the story
Abhishek Sharma broke some new records in Indian cricket with his phenomenal performance against England in the fifth T20I, at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium. His score of 135 not only took India to a thumping victory but also broke Shubman Gill's previous high score of 126 not out. This achievement has been credited to the guidance and support from his mentor, former Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh.
Game plan
Sharma's strategy and support behind record-breaking performance
Sharma's plan was to find a balance between his natural aggression and the requirement to bat deep, a strategy Yuvraj pushed him to follow. He scored his century in a mere 37 balls, making it India's second-fastest century. Despite the blistering pace, Sharma kept his head in the game till the 18th over when he had scored a phenomenal 135 runs.
Statement
Mentor-Student bond
Yuvraj took to X and praised the youngster's century, saying "Well played @IamAbhiSharma4! That's where I want to see you! Proud of you." Speaking after the match, Abhishek said he was delighted to see a message from his long-time mentor. "I think this is the first time Yuvraj has tweeted something without adding 'I will send a chappal.' Finally, he is proud of me. So I'm very happy," said Abhishek.
Twitter Post
Here is Yuvraj's post!
Well played @IamAbhiSharma4! That's where I want to see you! 🔥 Proud of you 👊🏻💯#IndVSEng
— Yuvraj Singh (@YUVSTRONG12) February 2, 2025
Gratitude expressed
Sharma credits Gambhir and Yadav for his success
Apart from Yuvraj, Sharma also credited head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Suryakumar Yadav for their unwavering support throughout his career. He thanked them for having faith in his abilities and encouraging him to stay aggressive even against high-speed bowlers. "They've always wanted this intent, they've always backed me. When the opponents are bowling 140, 150-plus, you have to be ready a little earlier," he said after the match.
Mentorship role
Yuvraj Singh's mentorship and Sharma's gratitude
Yuvraj has been instrumental in mentoring Sharma, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. He has been giving him regular feedback on his performance, offering constructive criticism, and helping him improve his fitness and mental toughness. After Sharma's record-breaking performance, Yuvraj took to social media to express his pride and satisfaction with the young cricketer's achievements.
Advice shared
Sharma's advice to Dube and future matches
Sharma's impact was also seen on his teammate Shivam Dube, who scored the second-highest runs for India in the first innings. Dube thanked Sharma for his mid-innings advice which helped him in his own performance. After defeating England, India now gears up for three ODIs against England starting February 6.