Sunrisers Hyderabad opener Abhishek Sharma has spoken about how former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh played a major role in shaping the way he thinks and plays, explaining that guidance from his childhood hero helped him handle pressure when it matters most. The 25-year-old has been in outstanding rhythm during the current Indian Premier League campaign, tallying 380 runs across eight matches to place himself among the tournament’s top run-scorers. His output includes three half-centuries and a hundred, underlining his growing influence at the crease.
Discussing Yuvraj’s impact, Abhishek said a training period during the lockdown became a decisive turning point. He described how Yuvraj’s involvement felt particularly meaningful because the all-rounder had been his idol since childhood, adding that while he had received some early advice, they had not shared much time together until the lockdown created an opening.
“Training with Yuvi paaji was a huge moment for me. I had looked up to him since I was a child. He was my idol. He gave me some guidance early on, but we didn’t have much time together. Then came the lockdown. I think Yuvi paaji saw it as an opportunity to work closely with a few players.”
Abhishek also revealed that during the camp, Yuvraj delivered a message that altered his confidence and perspective. According to him, the sessions were not meant only for domestic cricket or for a short run in the IPL, and not just to help him survive a handful of games for India. Instead, he said Yuvraj framed the training as mental preparation for major contests—focusing on delivering game-changing batting performances and contributing with the ball when the situation demands it.
“I was lucky to be one of them. When our camp began, he said something that truly changed my belief. He told me that the training and mindset we were building was not just for domestic cricket or IPL, and not just for playing a few games for India. He said that he was preparing me mentally to win big matches for India, to play impactful innings, and to deliver with the ball when it matters most,” Abhishek said.
Abhishek further looked back at his early cricket path, crediting his upbringing for sparking his passion for the sport. He pointed to a cricketing atmosphere at home from the beginning, noting that his father had played Ranji Trophy for Punjab and also worked as a coach. He said watching his father left a strong impression, and the motivation intensified when he would watch high-stakes India vs Pakistan encounters and World Cup matches on television, believing he could reach that level too.
“There was a strong cricketing environment at home from the start. My father played Ranji Trophy for Punjab and was also a Coach. Watching him inspired me to take up the game. When I watched India-Pakistan matches or World Cup games on TV, I felt motivated. I used to think that I wanted to play at that level too,” he added.
He added that his all-round skills began to stand out early, which encouraged him to take the sport more seriously. Abhishek said he started enjoying both batting and bowling at a young age, and that an Under-12 tournament confirmed his potential. He explained that he performed strongly by scoring plenty of runs and taking wickets, which helped him conclude that he had the talent to pursue cricket full-time.
“I was quite young when I first started enjoying both, batting and bowling. Then came an Under-12 tournament. I performed well there, scoring plenty of runs and picking up wickets. That’s when I realised I had the talent to take up cricket seriously.”
Now established as a regular in the IPL, Abhishek described the competition as a critical stage for growth, giving players a chance to measure themselves against top-class opposition. He said the league brings together the best cricketers from across the world and that it remains the leading T20 tournament. In his view, each season is an opportunity to learn, because playing alongside and against elite performers teaches valuable lessons about craft, temperament, and execution.
“The IPL brings together the best cricketers from around the world. It is the number one T20 league. Getting an opportunity to play here feels like a blessing. I treat every IPL season as a learning experience. Playing alongside and against these top players teaches you so much,” he said.
Abhishek also acknowledged the influence of teammate Travis Head on his batting approach, particularly the way he has embraced a more aggressive mindset. He said he had been following Head’s style for about a year and a half before the Australian joined SRH, and he was delighted when they became teammates. Abhishek explained that in their early conversations, he asked Head about his batting mindset, admiring how Head handles all three formats and dominates bowlers consistently.
He said Head’s plan sounded straightforward: watch the ball closely, and if the batter senses that the first delivery is hittable, go for it. Abhishek added that he tried to follow the advice during practice ahead of the IPL and now looks to take advantage quickly whenever the ball arrives in his preferred area.
“I have been following Travis Head’s game for a year and a half before he joined SRH. I was happy when he became my teammate. The first thing I asked him was about his batting mindset. I admire how he performs in all three formats and dominates the bowling. He told me his plan is simple: watch the ball closely, and if you feel you can hit the first delivery, go for it. I followed his advice in my practice before the IPL. Now, if the ball is in my slot, I look to hit it from the first ball,” he mentioned.
With his current form and strong support around him, Abhishek continues to develop into one of the emerging names in Indian cricket, carrying forward lessons he credits to one of the modern game’s standout figures.
