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Abhishek Sharma scored a record 135 against England in the fifth T20I at Wankhede. His mentor, Yuvraj Singh, praised him on social media. It was India’s second-fastest century.
Yuvraj Singh (L) and Abhishek Sharma. (Sportzpics)
Abhishek Sharma’s mentor Yuvraj Singh was gushing seeing his pupil score a record-breaking 135 against England in the fifth T20I between the teams at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Sunday.
Abhishek’s knock was the highest T20I score for an Indian and was built on a 37-ball century, the second-fastest for the country in the format. The left-hander hit 13 sixes and seven fours on his way, with the maximums being the most for an Indian in T20Is as well. It helped India set a massive total of 247/9 in the first innings after being put in to bat, which they defended by a margin of 150 runs — the best against England.
Interestingly, Abhishek took 17 balls to reach his half-century, the second-best for India in T20Is after Yuvraj’s 12-ball fifty against the same opponent in the 2007 T20 World Cup.
“Well played @IamAbhiSharma4! That’s where I want to see you! 🔥 Proud of you 👊🏻💯” Yuvraj reacted on X.
Coming from the same states, Yuvraj has trained Abhishek for a big share of his recent cricketing career. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Yuvraj had arranged a joint training session for Abhishek and other young Punjab cricketers Prabhsimran Singh and Anmolpreet Singh and one of his properties.
Since then, Yuvraj is said to be in regular contact with Abhishek, helping him with technical tweaks and also asking him to share videos of his batting and net sessions regularly to give inputs. Many observers have seen similarities in their batting abilities, including the gift of timing and the easy-on-the-eye aerial hits.
This is not the first time he has reacted to one of his good knocks on social media either. On some occasions, he has also criticized the youngster publically, though most of it has been light-hearted and constructive.
“Good start to the series boys ! great tone set by our bowlers and well played sir !@IamAbhiSharma4 top knock ‘!! I’m impressed you hit 2 boundaries down the ground as well,” Yuvraj had written after the first T20I where Abhishek scored a 34-ball 79.
India sealed the series in the previous match and a big win here made the scoreline 4-1.
