India’s young batting sensation Abhishek Sharma credited legendary India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh for shaping his career after his breathtaking century vs England at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Abhishek set the stadium ablaze with his belligerent strokeplay, smashing England bowlers to all corners of the ground.
He slammed the second fastest half century in the format for India in just 17 balls and further brought up his hundred off 37 deliveries. Abhishek clobbered 13 maximums, a record for India, along with seven fours, en route to the highest score by an Indian in T20Is (135 off 54 balls).
Following his record-shattering innings, Abhishek credited his idol Yuvraj Singh for instilling the belief of playing for the country in him at a very young age and said that he always believed in him.
“Yuvi Paaji (Yuvraj Singh) was the one who put all these things in my mind three-four years back. He was the one who believed in me, I would say. Obviously, when someone like Yuvraj Singh is telling you that you are going to play for the country and you’re going to win the matches. You obviously yourself try to think all these things that okay ‘I will play for India and I will do my best’,” said Abhishek in the post-match press conference.
Furthermore, Abhishek spoke about his bond with the former India star and revealed that he talks to him after every game.
“He has played a major role in my cricketing year. As I’ve told before also, it’s all because of him because the way he has treated me in the past and every innings. He’s someone who’s always there for me, I always talk to him after every game. He’s the one guy I’ve always listened to and I think he knows better than me so I believe that,” he added.
Courtesy of Abhishek’s sensational hundred, India posted a massive score of 247/9 in their allotted 20 overs. In reply, England were bundled out for just 97 in 10.3 overs with only Philip Salt putting up some fight with his half century (55 off 23).
