.jpg?width=1200)
Young Indian batter Abhishek Sharma did a video call to his family and former Team India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh after Team India's 100-run win against Zimbabwe in the 2nd T20I of the five-match series at Harare Sports Club on Sunday, July 7.
Abhishek Sharma made his arrival on the international stage with his maiden international century in 46 balls. The 23-year-old played a brilliant innings of 100 off 47 balls, including 8 sixes and 7 fours, at a strike rate of an astounding strike rate of 212.17. Abhishek quickly picked up his form after he was dismissed for a duck in his debut outing for Team India in the opening T20I of the series against Zimbabwe.
In a video posted by the Board Of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on its X handle (formerly Twitter), Abhishek Sharma was first seen making a video call to his elated family members, followed by a call to his mentor Yuvraj Singh, who congratulated him on his stellar performance
Abhishek Sharma credited Yuvraj Singh and his father, Raj Kumar for helping him improve his game and consistently focusing on his skills.
"Yuvi paaji (Yuvraj Singh) has made a big contribution. I don’t consider myself as sixer-king or something like that. Special thanks to my dad for allowing me to play lofted shots." Abhishek said at the press-meet post the match.
Abhishek Sharma was added to the squad given his batting exploits in IPL 2024, where he amassed 484 runs, including three fifties, at an average of 32.26 and an impressive average of 204.21 in 16 matches.
Abhishek Sharma plays with Shubman Gill's bat
In order to make a comeback, Abhishek Sharma revealed that he played with Shubman Gill's willow in the 2nd T20I against Zimbabwe. The youngster added that he has been following the same practice since U-14 age group.
"I have been doing this since U-14 where I used to play with Shubman Gill's bat. A good thing always happened when I played with his bat and today also, I did the same. I got his bat with much difficulty as he won't give it easily. That was my last option because to make a comeback I need to play with his bat." Abhishek said in a video posted by BCCI.
Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill have been knowing each other since childhood and both play for Punjab team in domestic cricket.
Meanwhile, Team India and Zimbabwe will take on each other in the third T20I on July 10 at Harare Sports Club.
