Yuvraj Singh Came Like a God: Abhishek Sharma's Father Grateful To India Legend After Son's Scintillating Hundred Against England | Exclusive

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Abhishek Sharma etched his name into the record books with a blistering 135 off just 54 balls against England in the fifth T20I in Mumbai on 2nd February, marking the second-fastest century by an Indian in T20Is.

His remarkable innings, featuring 13 towering sixes and seven boundaries, helped India post a formidable 247/9 and a cameo appearance with the ball, which saw an impressive 1-3-2 figures, earned him the MOTM award in a huge 150-run victory.

While millions celebrated his feat, no one was prouder than his father, Raj Kumar Sharma, who shared heartfelt insights in an exclusive interview with myKhel.

Proud Father

Abhishek was inspired to take up cricket because of his father, who was also a first-class cricketer. His talent became evident at the young age of 12. During his U-14 days, Indian cricket legend Bishan Singh Bedi was captivated by Abhishek's batting skills and told Raj Kumar that his son has the potential to become a big name in the sport.

Cut to 2025, it was an emotional moment for the father, who played a huge role in making the man, Abhishek is today to world.

"I was not present at the stadium, but my wife and daughter were there to witness the world-class innings. I was glued to the TV, feeling immensely proud. Everyone around congratulated us, and it was overwhelming to see my son perform so brilliantly for India," Raj Kumar expressed, his voice brimming with emotion.

Recalling his conversation with Abhishek after the match, Raj Kumar shared, "I called him up to congratulate him. I told him to keep up the good work and always prioritize the team. He responded, 'Papa, I will always play for the team first, for India. I will adapt my game based on the situation.'"

The Yuvraj Singh Factor

Raj Kumar credited Yuvraj Singh for playing a pivotal role in Abhishek's growth. It's well-known that legendary all-rounder has been mentoring young power-hitter for along time. He has been coaching and the SRH star for a considerable period, and Abhishek's explosive performance against England clearly reflected the influence of his mentor.

"Yes, Yuvraj Singh has given a lot of time to my son, especially during the COVID-19 period when Abhishek trained with him for 3-4 months. Yuvraj mentored him with international-level training, significantly improving his batting skills. Even when Yuvraj is unavailable, his father, Yograj Singh, steps in to guide Abhishek as he feels he should get his daily training. Yuvraj came like a God, whatever he has achieved is because of him and his advice on playing through different phases of an innings has been invaluable."

Abhishek's stint with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) also played a crucial role in his development. "SRH encouraged Abhishek to bat up the order. Brian Lara, the then-batting coach, recognized his potential to be one of India's top players. VVS Laxman, Rahul Dravid, and Wasim Jaffer also contributed immensely. Their guidance has been a blessing, and I am deeply grateful for their support," Raj Kumar acknowledged.

An All-Format Prospect

The likes of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have retired from the T20I format and with Abhishek's emergence, he has been tipped to be one of the big names to lead the country in this shortest format in the near future.

"Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are world-class players and are respected globally. Finding their substitutes is tough, but if young players like Abhishek receive blessings of big players, they can aim for greater heights'', Raj Kumar said.

When asked about Abhishek's potential to excel across formats, Raj Kumar confidently stated, "Yes, he can be an all-format player. With Yuvraj Singh's mentorship shaping his mentality, it's not just about T20Is. Abhishek has the skills and mindset to make a mark in Tests and ODIs as well."

As the 24-year-old continues to rise, the foundation laid by his family, mentors, and cricket legends promises a bright future for this young star in Indian cricket.