In the first T20 International between India and Bangladesh at the Shrimant Madhavrao Scindia Cricket Stadium in Gwalior, India chased a modest target of 128 runs with ease. However, it was Abhishek Sharma’s brief but explosive cameo that grabbed attention. Opening alongside Sanju Samson, Abhishek blazed through his seven-ball stay, smashing two boundaries and one towering six.
Though he scored 16 runs at a staggering strike rate of 228.57, his innings was cut short by a run-out, leaving many wondering what could have been. While Abhishek Sharma expressed satisfaction with his performance through an Instagram post, his mentor, former India star Yuvraj Singh, was less than pleased.
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Yuvraj pointed out the miscommunication that led to Abhishek’s untimely dismissal. On the last ball of the second over, Sanju Samson nudged the ball toward mid-wicket, and Abhishek hurried for a risky single, only to be run out. Yuvraj, who has been mentoring Abhishek for several years, was quick to offer feedback. Responding to a comment on Instagram predicting a big knock from Abhishek, Yuvraj cheekily remarked, “Only if we apply our brains properly.”
Yuvraj Singh🤔 pic.twitter.com/DAgM3Hm9G8
— चिरकुट ज़िंदगी (@Chirayu_Jain26) October 6, 2024
Yuvraj has been closely guiding Abhishek, helping him refine his batting skills. The duo shares a strong mentor-mentee bond, and Yuvraj is keen to see the young left-hander convert his quick starts into match-winning scores. Abhishek has been open about the pivotal role Yuvraj plays in his cricketing journey, and Yuvraj has high expectations for him, emphasizing the importance of making big scores with such an impressive strike rate.
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“His strike rate has been phenomenal, but big scores are what will truly secure his place in the Indian team. He needs to turn those starts into substantial innings,” Yuvraj had earlier said, as quoted by Cricbuzz.
Abhishek, who made his international debut in the T20I series against Zimbabwe in July, is still working to establish himself at the international level. Though he scored a hundred in just 47 balls in a later game, he has yet to consistently replicate his IPL 2024 success with Sunrisers Hyderabad for India.
