New Delhi,OCT 2
India’s flamboyant opener Abhishek Sharma highlighted the influence of former World Cup-winning all-rounder Yuvraj Singh on his rise from an inconsistent prospect to the number one T20I batter in the world. While Yuvraj remains a fundamental figure in the young southpaw’s journey, Abhishek’s father, Raj Kumar Sharma, is the one who got him obsessed with cricket. Abhishek has often credited his mentor and white-ball legend, Yuvraj Singh, for the success he has savoured since bursting onto the international scene last year against Zimbabwe. The 25-year-old trained with Yuvraj during the pandemic and took the steps towards success. While slowly overcoming his unreliable form, Abhishek truly realised the goal Yuvraj had set for him: Preparing him to be a match-winner for India in the next two to three years.”Shubman (Gill) was already playing for India. Shubman and I were having lunch with him. He (Yuvraj) told me, ‘I am not preparing you for the domestics, or the IPL, or an India cap.’ I am preparing you to win matches for India. I am sure of it, keep it in writing. It would take two to three years at max,” Abhishek said on the Breakfast with Champions show.”When these things came from a person whom I idolised all my life, when I saw his belief and trust, I thought that this was something. After the camp, I realised my goal was bigger than the one Yuvi was preparing me for, and I would get it no matter what,” he added.Abhishek disclosed that Yuvraj, who is “detail-oriented”, would take notes, closely inspect their performances and draw comparisons with their past outings to understand their progress.
“Last year was a game-changing season for me. We would sit at his home, 6-7 of us, and talk. We would get assessment papers, listing our strengths and all.
