Before establishing himself as one of India’s most promising T20I openers, Abhishek Sharma went through a challenging phase in his early career. The young batter admitted that he was struggling with consistency in the IPL and often found himself out of the playing XI. Meanwhile, his peers like Shubman Gill were already representing India, which made him feel like he was falling behind.
It was during this difficult time that Abhishek turned to one of Indian cricket’s greatest match-winners — Yuvraj Singh — for guidance. That decision, he says, changed everything.
The Lockdown Camp That Changed Everything
During the COVID-19 lockdown, Abhishek, along with Shubman Gill, Prabhsimran Singh, and Anmolpreet Singh, set up a training camp at Yuvraj’s house. It was here that he not only sharpened his skills but also transformed his mindset.
“I needed it. We were on the same flight once, and I asked him if I could train with him. He said yes,” Abhishek recalled on the Breakfast with Champions show.
Those intense days of training became the turning point in his career, helping him rediscover his confidence and ambition.
The Conversation That Redefined His Purpose
Over a casual lunch at Yuvraj’s home, Abhishek received advice that still motivates him today. The 2011 World Cup hero told him he wasn’t training him just to represent Punjab or play in the IPL — his goal was far bigger.
“Main tujhe ready kar raha hun taki tu India ko matches jeetaye (I’m preparing you to win matches for India). Write this down — it will happen in the next two to three years,” Yuvraj told him.
Those words completely changed Abhishek’s perspective. Instead of just aiming to break into the team, he now dreamed of winning matches for India — a mindset shift that fueled his rise.
Yuvraj’s Deep Dedication as a Mentor
What impressed Abhishek the most was Yuvraj’s commitment to grooming the next generation. He revealed how Yuvraj would spend hours watching batting videos, making notes, and taking screenshots from different angles to compare their techniques before and after sessions.
“No one really knows how much detailing Yuvi paaji puts into it,” Abhishek said. “He would stand with us throughout long practice sessions — sometimes over five hours — offering technical inputs and mental guidance.”
For Abhishek, those sessions were about more than just refining his batting. They were about learning how to think like a match-winner and perform under pressure — lessons that have shaped his journey ever since.
From Struggle to Self-Belief
Today, Abhishek Sharma is not just another promising young player — he’s someone who carries the belief instilled by one of India’s greatest cricketers. Yuvraj Singh’s mentorship gave him more than just technical skill; it gave him a purpose and the mindset to aim higher.
And as Yuvraj predicted, the next two to three years might just see Abhishek Sharma doing exactly what he was trained for — winning matches for India.
Catch every update on Cricket News, Match Predictions, Fantasy Tips, and Live Cricket Action—only on The Cricket Scores!
