Abhishek Sharma credited Suryakumar Yadav for helping him achieve his highest score for India on a night where he hammered 13 sixes and seven fours en-route to a record-breaking 135-run knock.
In Mumbai, it was one of those nights where everything Abhishek touched turned into gold, with the ball soaring over the ropes at will. As he neared his second T20I century, skipper Suryakumar—despite his own struggles with form—offered reassurance, advising the young southpaw to take his time and play a few extra deliveries.
“I didn’t even know what my score was,”said Abhishek. “That was the time, I asked Surya and he said, the wicket has just fallen, so you can take one or two balls’, that really helped me and because of him, I could score this hundred.”
Not only did Abhishek dismantle England’s bowling attack on his way to a scintillating century, but he also made an impact with the ball, taking two wickets in the only over he bowled, sealing a complete all-round performance.
“These kinds of matches come rarely in a player’s life,” Abhishek reflected. “It’s the result of the hard work I’ve put in during practice, along with the support from my coaches and captain when I wasn’t scoring runs. I always believed that if my day came, I would play an innings like this.”
A key influence in Abhishek’s evolution as a batter has been the legendary Brian Lara, who mentored him at Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2022. Lara, known for his attacking flair, instilled the same confidence in the young left-hander.
“Brian Lara told me, ‘play your shots but make sure you don’t get out’. From then on, I decided to back my instincts, whether it was the first or second ball,” revealed Abhishek. “I chose my approach and believed in it, whether playing for Punjab, in franchise cricket, or now for India—this moment is truly special.”
Another important figure in Abhishek’s journey has been Yuvraj Singh, who has tirelessly worked with him behind the scenes. The youngster has often spoken about the immense support and guidance he has received from the Indian great.
“Yuvi Paaji was the first to believe in me. He always told me I would win games for India,” Abhishek shared. “I talk to him after every game. He’s the one person I always listen to.”