The explosive India National Cricket Team opening batsman Abhishek Sharma has opened up on feeling inferior to his childhood friend Shubman Gill after the latter made it to the Indian team before him.
Abhishek Sharma also revealed how a conversation with the legendary all-rounder Yuvraj Singh brought a massive change in his mindset and pushed him to achieve success.
Abhishek Sharma wins Player of the Tournament in Asia Cup 2025
The left-handed opening batsman Abhishek Sharma set the stage on fire in the Asia Cup 2025 and consistently scored runs for the Suryakumar Yadav-led India National Cricket Team.
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Abhishek started his dominance from the first game itself as he played a quickfire knock of 30 runs against the UAE, and in the second high-profile game against Pakistan, he once showcased fearless batting and blasted 31 runs while chasing. Against Oman, he slammed 38 runs to finish the group stage with three 30s.
He further stepped up his game in the Super Four stage, smashing sensational 74, 75, and 61 in the matches against Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. Although he failed in the final, he had already done enough to secure the Player of the Tournament award.
Abhishek Sharma, overall, smashed 314 runs in the competition at an average of 44.85 and a strike rate of 200.00 to finish as the leading run-getter in the Asia Cup 2025.
Paji directly told me, “I am not preparing you for the state team – Abhishek Sharma
In a recent interaction on the Breakfast with Champions, Abhishek Sharma recalled having lunch with Shubman Gill and Yuvraj Singh when the legendary all-rounder told him that he was preparing him for representing India.
“At that time, I was, to be very honest, struggling a bit. I wasn’t consistent even in the IPL, and I wasn’t even in the team’s playing eleven. Shubman was already playing for India. I used to tell myself that, yeah, I’m a little delayed, I’ve fallen behind—all those ahead of me in the group, I mean, the captain was already there and I was a performer too, so I was a little late.”
“Then, when Paji called me home, Shubman and I were sitting with Paji, having lunch. Paji directly told me, “I am not preparing you for the state team, I am not preparing you for the IPL, I am not preparing you just to handle things. I am preparing you to play for India. You have to win matches for India. Write this down and keep it.” And he said, “Next, next two, three years max,” stated Abhishek.
I mean, this was from the person I had idolized – Abhishek Sharma
Abhishek Sharma added a person whom he idolized; having such a belief in him motivated him to work harder towards achieving his goals.
“I mean, this was from the person I had idolized. If he’s saying this, it means he has so much belief and trust in me. I thought to myself, yeah, this is something. After the camp, I felt that my goal is something else. I am being prepared for something bigger—to perform and lead innings for India. And that’s exactly what I will do, and I will achieve it,” said Abhishek.
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