New Delhi: Team India batter Abhishek Sharma made a special video call to former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh after smashing his maiden T20I ton on Sunday. Abhishek slammed a stunning knock of 100 runs off 47 balls to help India hammer Zimbabwe by 100 runs in the 2nd T20I between the two sides at the Harare Sports Club in Harare.
After recording a duck on his India debut in the first T20I, Abhishek made amends with a stellar show in the second game. The left-hand opener looked in fabulous touch as he took the Zimbabwe bowlers to the cleaners en route to his maiden hundred. Abhishek completed his fifty off 33 balls and took just 13 more deliveries to reach his 100 in what was an incredible display of power hitting from the southpaw.
He finished with 100 off 47 balls, helping India set a mammoth total of 234 runs as the visitors registered a comfortable victory by successfully defending the total. After India’s win, Abhishek video-called his family members, who were elated after his heroics and celebrated with him. The opening batter then video-called his mentor Yuvraj.
In a video posted by BCCI, Abhishek was seen video-calling Yuvraj after his stunning ton in the game. The former India all-rounder lauded the opener for his terrific knock and said he was proud of him. “Well done, very proud. You deserved it. Many more to come, this is just the start,” Yuvraj told Abhishek on the video call.
Two extremely special phone 📱 calls, one memorable bat-story 👌 & a first 💯 in international cricket!
𝗗𝗢 𝗡𝗢𝗧 𝗠𝗜𝗦𝗦!
A Hundred Special, ft. Abhishek Sharma 👏 👏 – By @ameyatilak
WATCH 🎥 🔽 #TeamIndia | #ZIMvIND | @IamAbhiSharma4 pic.twitter.com/0tfBXgfru9
— BCCI (@BCCI) July 8, 2024
Mentor Yuvraj’s role in shaping Abhishek’s career
Abhishek honed his skills under Yuvraj during the COVID-19 lockdown and continues to seek his guidance as a mentor. Abhishek Punjab’s teammate Shubman Gill also trained with Yuvraj at the time and the duo are now playing together for India. While Gill is leading India in their ongoing T20I series against Zimbabwe, Abhishek is proving his mettle as an opener.
Abhishek has spoken about Yuvraj’s role in his career on several occasions in the past and credited him for his success. The left-hander revealed he video-called Yuvraj even after his duck on his debut in the 1st T20I. He said Yuvraj was happy with his debut and said it was a good start. Abhishek didn’t disappoint his mentor in the 2nd T20I as he finished with a brilliant century.
“I had called Yuvi paji after the first match and I don’t know why, but he was very happy, he was like that’s a good start. I think he must be proud today as well, just like my family. So I am really happy, and it is all because of him as well, the hard work that he has put on me. For 2–3 years, he has been working really hard on me and not just cricket, even off the field as well. So, it’s a big moment,” Abhishek said.
Abhishek became the first Indian batter to score a hundred in a T20I against Zimbabwe. He took only 46 balls to complete his century to register the joint-third fastest century by an Indian in the shortest format. The opening batter will be hoping to continue his fabulous run in the remaining three matches of the series.
Abhishek Sharma video-called former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh after smashing his maiden ton for India in the 2nd T20I against Zimbabwe in Harare on Sunday. Abhishek also video-called his family, who were elated after his heroics in the game. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
