23-year-old talented Youngster Abhishek Sharma slammed his maiden T20I hundred on Sunday, 7 July while playing against Zimbabwe in Harare. With 0-1 down in the series, Team India opener Abhishek Sharma made headlines with some exceptional shots to score a century in just 46 balls as well. However, Sharma gave hope to this young Indian team, as three of their stalwarts, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja announced retirement from the T20 format right after the T20 World Cup 2024 win.
Abhishek Sharma, who has had two terrific Indian Premier League seasons with SRH, said that if the ball falls in his arc, he would try to hit it as well.
“I think it was pretty much a good performance by me, the defeat we had yesterday we didn’t have it easy for us. I felt today it was my day and I made it count. I feel T20 is about momentum and I took it to the end. Special mention to the coach and team management, I always feel that as a youngster if it’s your day, if you have to express yourself. We were talking after every ball and he said to me that you should take it on. I always believe in my ability, if there’s in my arc and even if it’s the first ball,” Sharma said in the post-match presentation ceremony.
During the post-match press conference, Abhishek Sharma also revealed that he used his skipper Shubman Gill’s bat and also explained that it was not the first time he had asked for it.
“I played with Shubman’s bat today – I did it earlier also. Whenever I need runs – I ask for his bat,” Abhishek Sharma again said.
Notably, Abhishek Sharma and Ruturaj Gaikwad put together a match-winning 137-run partnership to put pressure on Zimbabwe. Both batters played 47 balls in the innings. While Abhishek smashed 100 off 47 balls, Gaikwad hit an unbeaten 77-run knock as well. Abhishek hit 8 sixes and 7 boundaries also.
The BCCI posted a special interaction with Abhishek Sharma after his match-winning performance where he revealed how Yuvraj Singh was happy after his knock.
“Well done, very proud. You deserved it. Many more to come, this is just the start,” Yuvraj said on the video-call with Abhishek Sharma.
Abhishek has also credited Yuvraj Singh for shaping his career and during the BCCI interview as well. “I had called Yuvi paji after the first match and I don’t know why, but he was very happy, he was like that’s a good start. I think he must be proud today as well, just like my family. So I am really happy, and it is all because of him as well, the hard work that he has put on me. For 2–3 years, he has been working really hard on me and not just cricket, even off the field as well. So, it’s a big moment,” Abhishek said.
