Indian T20I opener Abhishek Sharma has credited Yuvraj Singh for playing a defining role in his growth as a batter. The 25-year-old revealed that he was going through a tough phase before he turned to the
former India all-rounder for guidance, a move that changed his outlook and approach to the game.
Sharma recalled that during the COVID-19 lockdown, when he and 3 others – Shubman Gill, Prabhsimran Singh, and Anmolpreet Singh set up a training camp at the former all-rounder’s residence. It eventually became a turning point in Abhishek’s career.
“I needed it. So, we were on the same flight once, where I asked him and he said yes,” he said on the Breakfast with Champions show.
“I was struggling a bit back then. I wasn’t consistent in the IPL and was not even in the playing XI, while players from my age group, like Shubman, were already playing for India. I started to feel left behind.”
It was then that Yuvraj gave him a perspective that has stayed with him ever since. Over a casual lunch at Yuvraj’s home, the 2011 World Cup hero told Abhishek that he wasn’t grooming him to simply represent Punjab, play in the IPL, or even just earn an India cap.
Instead, Yuvraj said, “Main tujhe ready kar raha hun taki tu India ko matches jeetaye (I’m preparing you to win matches for India). Write this down—it will happen in the next two to three years.”
That message, Sharma admitted, reshaped his goals and instilled the belief that he belonged at the highest level.
The young opener also spoke about Yuvraj’s remarkable dedication to mentoring the next generation of cricketers. “He would spend hours going through our batting videos, making notes, and even taking screenshots from different angles to compare before and after. No one really knows how much detailing Yuvi paaji puts into it,” Sharma said.
He added that Yuvraj’s involvement extended beyond analysis. During the intense practice sessions that often lasted more than five hours, the senior pro would stand by the players throughout, offering technical inputs and mental guidance. For Abhishek, those sessions were not just about refining technique but also about developing the mindset to perform under pressure.
