Indian cricket icon and 2011 ODI World Cup champion Yuvraj Singh offered a witty yet heartfelt tribute to his protégé Abhishek Sharma after the latter’s brilliant batting performance in India’s opening T20I against England in Kolkata on January 22.
Having played a key role in mentoring Abhishek during his early career, Yuvraj shared his thoughts on the young batter’s impressive innings and India’s dominant seven-wicket win, which gave them a strong start in the five-match series.
On his official X account, Yuvraj praised Abhishek’s composed stroke play and humorously noted his preference for driving the ball along the ground instead of focusing solely on power hitting. The light-hearted comments reflected their close bond and Yuvraj’s sharp insights into batting technique.
“Good start to the series boys ! great tone set by our bowlers and well played sir !@IamAbhiSharma4 top knock ‘!! I’m impressed you hit 2 boundaries down the ground as well,” Yuvraj said.
Good start to the series boys ! 🇮🇳 great tone set by our bowlers and well played sir !@IamAbhiSharma4 top knock ‘!! I’m impressed you hit 2 boundaries down the ground aswell 🤪! #indiavsengland
— Yuvraj Singh (@YUVSTRONG12) January 22, 2025
Abhishek smashed a 20-ball fifty, making it the second-fastest by an Indian batter against England, trailing only his mentor Yuvraj Singh.
India Overcomes Early Setbacks to Chase 133 at Eden Gardens
India’s chase of 133 at Eden Gardens faced early setbacks with Samson and Suryakumar falling cheaply. However, Abhishek’s explosive 79 off 34 balls, including eight sixes and five boundaries, led India to a comfortable win, giving them a strong start to the series.
Abhishek’s place in the team had been questioned due to inconsistent form, with just 256 runs in 13 T20Is. However, his standout performance against England silenced critics and reaffirmed his potential.
Yuvraj’s support highlights the trust, senior players have in Abhishek’s talent. His performance, especially during an 84-run partnership with Tilak Varma, showcased his composure under pressure. Abhishek’s knock has boosted his confidence, giving him a chance to secure his place in India’s T20I future with four matches remaining.
Get the latest cricket news here, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more such updates.
