Sharma Reserves Special Thanks for Yadav and Gambhir After Heroics Continue
Emerging Indian cricket star Abhishek Sharma is attributing his recent success to the unwavering support and guidance of captain Suryakumar Yadav and head coach Gautam Gambhir. The young opener has been in scintillating form, particularly shining in the recent T20I series against England and the Asia Cup 2025. Sharma's aggressive batting style and consistent performances have solidified his place in the Indian team, and he's keen to acknowledge the influence of Yadav and Gambhir in his journey.
Sharma's breakthrough performance in the first T20I against England, where he smashed a blistering 79 off just 34 balls, set the tone for India's commanding victory. His fearless approach and ability to dominate bowlers from the outset were on full display, leaving cricket fans and analysts impressed. Following the match, Sharma was quick to express his gratitude towards Yadav and Gambhir, emphasizing the freedom and confidence they instilled in the team's younger players. "I just wanted to express myself," Sharma said. "A special mention to the captain and coach. They have given us a lot of freedom. The way they talk to youngsters, it's tremendous".
Sharma also highlighted the clarity of direction he received from the leadership. "The captain and coach have given me the clarity and confidence to just go and express myself...the clarity to set the momentum for the team has really helped me," he explained. This clarity, combined with the backing to play his natural game, has been crucial in his development.
His stellar performance in the Asia Cup 2025 further exemplified the positive impact of Yadav and Gambhir's mentorship. Sharma finished the tournament as the top scorer, amassing 314 runs in seven matches with an impressive average of 44.86 and a striking strike rate of 200. He was named Player of the Competition for his consistent and impactful performances at the top of the order. Even after the Asia Cup win, Sharma subtly acknowledged the ACC's denial of the trophy to the champions.
Sharma emphasized that Yadav's leadership remained consistent regardless of his personal form. "Since I have joined the team, even when he scores 100, he will still laugh like that, he talks to everyone like that. Even if he is out early, he leads everyone together," Sharma stated.
Sharma's journey to success hasn't been without its challenges. Like any cricketer, he has experienced periods of low scores and self-doubt. However, he credits Gambhir and Yadav for their unwavering support during these times. "As a batsman, it can play on your mind if you don't score runs in 3-4-5 innings, but the way the coach and captain have managed all the players, even when I've not done well - even then they tell us, 'we know you're gonna win the game for us, any game, just go and express yourself'," Sharma revealed. This constant encouragement and belief in his abilities have been instrumental in Sharma's ability to bounce back from setbacks and perform at his best.
Prior to the T20 series in Australia, Sharma spoke about preparing himself "mentally and technically" for the Australian conditions. His efforts paid off, as he secured the 'Player of the Series' award in India's 2-1 triumph. "I have been waiting for this tournament... I was very excited," Sharma said, adding, "Throughout my career, I've seen that Australia is very batting-friendly, and I wanted to prepare myself for these kinds of bowlers and conditions".
