Indian opener Abhishek Sharma isn’t shy about crediting Yuvraj Singh for his cricketing journey. In a recent interview on the YouTube channel ‘Second Innings with Manjot Kalra,’ Sharma recounted a heartwarming incident that highlighted Yuvraj’s role as a mentor and guide. The 23-year-old recalled a moment during a Punjab Ranji Trophy match where his youthful exuberance got the better of him. Sharma, following the team’s plan, sledged a player from the opposing side while bowling.
However, things went south when the tables turned, and Sharma found himself on the receiving end of some verbal abuse during the next innings. Fortunately for Sharma, the incident didn’t go unnoticed by his senior teammate and future mentor, Yuvraj Singh. Sensing Sharma’s discomfort, Yuvraj intervened.
“Yuvi paji [elder brother] was at the other end,” Abhishek Sharma said, “he saw that something was bothering me. He asked me about it, and I told him that this guy was abusing me. Yuvi paji just gave him a look and the player instantly apologised.”
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Yuvraj’s influence on Sharma goes beyond this one incident. It all started with inspiration. Abhishek Sharma, like countless other young cricketers, was enthralled by Yuvraj’s all-around brilliance during India’s 2007 T20 World Cup victory. “He has always been my idol,” Sharma admitted, “In fact, I was inspired to take up the sport after that win. I thought that I wanted to bat, bowl, and field like him.”
This admiration blossomed into a strong mentorship. Sharma first encountered Yuvraj at the young age of 16 while making his Ranji Trophy debut. At that time, Yuvraj was on a comeback mission, dominating the domestic scene with over 800 runs.
“He has had a lot of influence on me,” Abhishek Sharma reminisced, “I just kept looking at him in the dressing room.” Even now, Sharma seeks guidance from both Yuvraj and his father, Yograj Singh. “Whenever there is some confusion or doubt in my mind, I talk to Yuvraj Singh,” Sharma revealed. “He keeps in touch, even Yograj sir. I practice with Yograj sir and he keeps all the updates. I really enjoy practising with Yograj sir.”
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This strong network of support has undoubtedly played a crucial role in Sharma’s development. The youngster’s recent India debut in the Zimbabwe T20I series stands as a testament to that. Despite a nervous first outing, Sharma bounced back with a phenomenal century, showcasing his potential as a future Indian opener in the shortest format. With Yuvraj Singh’s guidance and his own dedication, Abhishek Sharma’s cricketing journey promises to be an exciting one to watch.
