Former India all-rounder Yograj Singh has lifted the lid on the behind-the-scenes story of how his son Yuvraj Singh helped shape the career of rising star Abhishek Sharma. According to Yograj, the youngster’s transformation into a serious cricketer required tough love—and Yuvraj didn’t hesitate to be the disciplinarian.
Abhishek Sharma, who had been around the IPL circuit since 2018, truly found his groove only in IPL 2024. His breakout season saw him amass 484 runs at a staggering strike rate of over 204, smashing a record 42 sixes—a massive leap from his previous best of 13 sixes in a single season. That red-hot form earned him a maiden India call-up, and he hasn’t disappointed.
In just 17 T20Is, he’s already scored over 500 runs, including two centuries and two fifties, cementing his place as one of India’s brightest young talents. But behind this turnaround lies Yuvraj’s no-nonsense mentorship.
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Yograj Singh revealed in a recent interview that Abhishek’s father turned to Yuvraj after struggling to discipline his son. “Partying, girlfriends—that’s what it was,” Yograj recalled. “Yuvi said, ‘Lock him up.’ He literally had to take him under control.”
The intensity didn’t stop there. Yograj shared that Yuvraj would often scold Abhishek for being late to training and insisted on discipline as a non-negotiable part of the young cricketer’s journey. This wasn’t a one-off case—Shubman Gill, now a staple in India’s lineup, went through the same drill. During the COVID-19 lockdown, Yuvraj took both Gill and Abhishek under his wing, housing them and putting them through rigorous training at his residence.
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“Yuvi used to tell me, ‘Dad, don’t interfere. I know what I’m doing,’” Yograj Singh said, highlighting his son’s serious approach to mentoring.
It’s clear now that Yuvraj’s old-school, tough-love style of guidance played a pivotal role in unlocking the potential of two of India’s most exciting young batters.
– Yograj Singh Reveals
– Yuvi scolded abhishek and Shubham gill For Partying and dating .#ShubmanGill #abhisheksharma pic.twitter.com/7Hs5cJ7V8f— HomeLander_Raj (@RajHomelander) April 21, 2025
