• Source:JND
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Indian opening batter Abhishek Sharma reflected on the pivotal role that former all-rounder Yuvraj Singh has played in his career. He recounted an incident from Punjab’s Ranji Trophy fixture where Yuvraj came to his aid after Abhishek had sledged an opposition batter.

In an interview on the YouTube channel "Second Innings with Manjot Kalra," the 23-year-old shared that Punjab had a strategy to target a specific player from the opposing team, and Abhishek sledged him while bowling. This plan backfired, and Abhishek found himself on the receiving end of abuse in the next innings. Sensing his discomfort, Yuvraj intervened.

“Yuvi paji was at the other end, he saw that something was bothering me. He asked me about it, and I told him that this guy was abusing me. Yuvi paji just gave him a look and the player instantly apologized,” Abhishek recounted.

Abhishek also mentioned that Yuvraj has been his idol since he was inspired by the 2007 T20 World Cup win. He met Yuvraj when he made his Ranji Trophy debut at 16, a time when Yuvraj was aiming for a comeback and had a stellar domestic season with over 800 runs.

“He has always been my idol. I wanted to bat, bowl, and field like him after watching the 2007 T20 World Cup. He has had a lot of influence on me. I just kept looking at him in the dressing room,” Abhishek shared.

Abhishek continues to seek guidance from Yuvraj and his father, Yograj Singh, both of whom have mentored him leading up to his recent India debut.

“Even now whenever there is some confusion or doubt in my mind, I talk to Yuvraj Singh. I feel like I will get the answers from him. He keeps in touch, even Yograj sir. I practice with Yograj sir and he keeps all the updates. I really enjoy practising with Yograj sir,” he added.

The young gun debuted against Zimbabwe in the recent five-match T20I series in Harare. After being dismissed for a duck on debut, he returned strong with a phenomenal century to show why he could be the future Indian opener in the shortest format.