In a spectacular performance, Abhishek Sharma blitzed a 47-ball century in the second T20I against Zimbabwe, using the bat of his childhood friend and captain, Shubman Gill. This knock laid the foundation for India’s comprehensive 100-run victory. Sharma, who was dismissed for a duck in the first match, smashed seven fours and eight sixes in his innings, showcasing his resilience and skill.
Reflecting on his innings, Abhishek Sharma described his journey with Gill as “beautiful,” a relationship that began in the under-12 category. “It has been quite beautiful, starting as kids of 11-12 years. Yeah, we are playing together from Under-12. When I was selected for the country, the first call I received was from Shubman,” Abhishek shared in the post-match press meet.
Sharma revealed that playing with Gill’s bat has been a long-standing practice for him, especially in pressure situations. “Today, I played with his bat, so special thanks to the bat. It happened from the under-12 days, as whenever I play a pressure game I ask him for a bat,” he said. This ritual has continued through the IPL and now into international cricket.
The left-hander also credited former India batter Yuvraj Singh and his father for his fearless approach to cricket. “Yuvi paaji (Yuvraj Singh) has made a big contribution. I don’t consider myself as a sixer-king or something like that. Special thanks to my dad for allowing me to play lofted shots,” he elaborated. His father encouraged him to hit lofted shots out of the ground, a mindset that has shaped his aggressive style.
Addressing the pressure of his T20I debut, Abhishek acknowledged the significant role of the IPL in preparing him for such moments. “I think the IPL plays a big role in this (handling pressure). We did not feel much pressure when we came here to represent the country as debutants,” he noted. Despite his four-ball duck in the first match, Abhishek maintained his positive approach and intent.
“This is my game and I will go for the shot from the first ball if it’s there in my slot. If it’s my day then it works out, and if it does not, then I don’t mind. I practice a lot for this mindset,” Abhishek explained. His improved execution in the second match was a testament to his calculated risk-taking and confidence.
“Of course, my execution was better today than yesterday. I was just calculating the risk that I should take in the first over, or whether to play according to the merit of the ball. Whenever I get boundaries or sixes in the first few balls then I believe that it’s my day,” he concluded.
Abhishek Sharma’s stellar performance and his unique reliance on Shubman Gill’s bat added a special touch to India’s dominant victory over Zimbabwe, highlighting the strong bonds and preparation that fuel success at the highest levels of cricket.
