India opener Abhishek Sharma has claimed that his guru Yuvraj Singh was thrilled when he got out for a duck in his T20I debut against Zimbabwe here as the swashbuckling former all-rounder, for reasons best known to him, felt it was a “good start”.
Abhishek, who was playing for the first time for India, was out for duck when the Men in Blue lost the opening T20 International against Zimbabwe by 13 runs on Saturday. However, the 23-year-old returned fire and ignited the crowd with a brilliant 47-ball century to set the tone for India’s 100-run victory in the second T20I the following day.
“I spoke to him yesterday (Saturday) also, and I don’t know why he was very happy when I got out on zero. He said that’s a good start but he must be very happy and proud just like my family,” Abhishek said in a video posted by BCCI.
In addition to helping him improve his cricketing abilities, he gave appreciation to the hero of India’s 2011 World Cup victory for encouraging him in his personal life.
“It’s all because of him as well, the hard work he has put in shaping me. For two-three years, he has worked really hard not only on my cricket but off the field life as well.”
Following Sunday’s match, Abhishek gave Yuvraj a call, and the latter was ecstatic for the young player.
“Well done very proud, you deserve it. Many more such innings to come this is just the start,” Yuvraj said.
India leveled the five-match series 1-1 because there was no rest day between the first two games, which gave the visitors little opportunity to reflect on their opening defeat.
“We lost yesterday but I felt, today is my day and I should take the match to the end, the positive was that we didn’t have much time to think about the next game,” he pointed out.
Abhishek combined with Ruturaj Gaikwad (77 not out off 47 ball) for a match-winning 137-run stand for the second wicket.
“I was in a flow, and just wanted to express myself. I spoke to Rutu as well, he said the same thing that ‘don’t think much about the balls and hit what you think you can’,” he said.
He once again thanked India skipper on the tour and his Punjab teammate Shubman Gill for lending him his bat.
“Special thanks to Shubman who timely gave me his bat, this was a much-needed innings for me and the team.
“This has been going on from U-14 times. Whenever I play with his bat I have done well, today also, the same happened.
“I played with his bat only, which I got after a lot of difficulty, he doesn’t give it easily. That is like my last option when I feel I have to play with his bat for a comeback,” he quipped.
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