Former Bigg Boss Marathi contestant Irina Rudakova grabbed attention at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 warm-up match between India and South Africa at the Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai.
Rudakova was spotted holding a vibrant poster that read, "Crush nahi, pure desh ka pyaar ho tum” aimed at Team India’s Abhishek Sharma. The poster immediately caught the eye of the young batter while he was fielding, prompting a delighted smile from Sharma as he acknowledged the gesture.
The light-hearted moment added a fun fan interaction to the pre-tournament proceedings, highlighting the growing enthusiasm and celebrity presence around the T20 World Cup. Social media quickly picked up photos of the poster, further fueling fan excitement for India’s upcoming matches.
While Sharma focused on his game, Rudakova’s playful display underscored the unique ways in which fans are connecting with players during the high-profile cricketing event.
'...Takes Same Amount Of Balls': Sunil Gavaskar's Hilarious Remark On Abhishek Sharma's Explosive Knock Goes Viral Post IND vs NZ 1st T20; VIDEO
In India’s commanding 48‑run win over New Zealand in the first T20 International at Nagpur, veteran opener Abhishek Sharma stole the spotlight with a blistering 84 off just 35 balls, a knock that included a rapid 22‑ball fifty and propelled the hosts to a formidable total of 238/7.
Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar reacted to Sharma’s performance with awe at the contrast between today’s power hitting and his own era. Speaking after the match, Gavaskar joked that Abhishek “takes the same amount of balls to hit a half‑century as what I used to take to get off the mark,” highlighting how intent and modern batting approaches have transformed the shortest format.
Sharma’s fearless intent was evident throughout the innings. He later explained that his aggressive style is a product of deliberate intent and preparation, not recklessness, saying teams have plans for him but he backs his instincts.
His performance not only helped India seize a 1‑0 lead in the five‑match T20I series but also underscored why he is one of the most exciting young talents in the game ahead of the T20 World Cup.
