Abhishek Sharma’s father, Raj Kumar Sharma, explained how he made the young opener play against top-quality fast bowlers from a very young age.
Abhishek Sharma is currently one of the most destructive openers in world cricket. In T20Is, he is the current number one-ranked batter, and he has shown his ability in the ongoing Asia Cup 2025 so far.
In the first match, he scored 30 off 16, striking at 187.50 against the UAE, and then smashed Pakistan for 31 off 13, at a strike rate of 238.46. On both occasions, he provided the brisk start India needed and set the tone.
However, against Pakistan, the way he played and attacked their prime fast bowler, Shaheen Shah Afridi, left everyone awestruck. In the first two balls of the innings, while chasing the 128-run target, Abhishek took charge and hit him for a four and a six respectively.
Now, in a video posted by BCCI, his father said: “When I used to train Abhishek, I made him face bowlers who bowled at 150 kmph during his Under-16 days. I trained him in such a way that all the kids used to say, ‘isko lag na jaaye’ (he might get hurt). I used to ask him, ‘will you be able to play?’ He said, ‘Papa, issey bhi tez karwao (Dad, make him bowl quicker, I’ll play that as well).’”
Abhishek’s father also reminisced about the old days when he used to take young Abhishek to the field with him.
“When I took him to the ground, all the senior players used to say, ‘Your son has a lot of talent; he will play for India one day.’ All their blessings and love have brought him here. Let me also tell you, in the time to come, Abhishek will win a lot more matches for India, with the ball, not just bat.”
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