Abhishek Sharma has emerged as India’s one of the most reliable T20I openers due to his explosive batting, especially his six-hitting ability. But what he is today was built over years of hardwork and grind. His father and first coach Rajkumar Sharma recalls his journey as a teenager where Abhishek approached the goal with a mindset of a seasoned professional.
In an interview with The Indian Express, Rajkumar Sharma told that despite doing all the fitness drills and training, Abhishek felt like picking up the bat again. Mohali ground staff still remembers how he kept sending all the balls to the stand due to which they had to collect them from different stands. At the age of 11-12 Abhishek Sharma showed exceptional bowling skills and his talent still stuns Punjab Junior Coach Arun Bedi.
“His days started at 4am,” Rajkumar told The Indian Express. “From gym and exercise to running and swimming—he did everything he could to constantly improve as a player.”
Abhishek Sharma has received top-class training from some of the most decorated legends in the history of cricket. At the national level he was guided by VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid, during IPL he is gets the support of Ricky Ponting and Brian Lara. But one of the most influential figure who has shaped his training is Yuvraj Singh with whom he stated working closely during lockdown because of COVID.
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“Even now, when he thinks Abhishek has made a mistake, he will pick up the phone and call and scold him,” Rajkumar said, laughing. “And Abhishek is scared of him too.”
Rajkumar mentioned how Abhishek Sharma is still scared of Yuvraj Singh. The young Indian opener has shown immense improvement in his game-play as at such a young age he already has over 1000 T20I runs in just 30 matches.
