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Following his match-winning performance against England in fifth T20I, India star opener Abhishek Sharma mentioned his mentor Yuvraj Singh during the post-match presentation. He said Yuvraj Singh should be happy after his superlative knock. Abhishek Sharma's batting mayhem blew away England bowlers at the Wankhede stadium. He attributed his success to his preparation for facing express pace bowlers like Jamie Overton and Jofra Archer. His explosive 135 runs off 54 balls, the second-fastest T20I century and the highest individual score by an Indian in the format, helped India notch a dominant 150-run win over England, which is their biggest win against the English side in the shortest format of the game.
Abhishek has trained under Yuvraj Singh for several years, and their relationship has involved some tough love. Yuvraj has been known to offer candid critiques of Abhishek's performances, even publicly criticising him on social media when he felt the youngster's dismissals were subpar.
"Probably he (mentor and former India batter Yuvraj Singh) should be happy today. He's always wanted me to bat into the 15th and 20th over and I've tried to implement that," Abhishek, who was adjudged Player of the Match, said in the post-match presentation.
"It's a special one, coming for the country, always a great feeling. When I see it's my day, I always try to go from the first ball. And the way the coach and the captain have treated me from the first day. They've always wanted this intent, they've always backed me. When the opponents are bowling 140, 150-plus, you have to be ready a little earlier. Just react to the ball and play my shots. When you're hitting a world-class bowler over the covers [off Archer], it's aways great, but I really liked the shots against Adil Rashid as well," he added.
Even the two-time World Cup winner Yuvraj took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to laud Abhishek after his superlative innings.
"It's a special one, coming for the country, always a great feeling. When I see it's my day, I always try to go from the first ball. And the way the coach and the captain have treated me from the first day. They've always wanted this intent, they've always backed me. When the opponents are bowling 140, 150-plus, you have to be ready a little earlier. Just react to the ball and play my shots. When you're hitting a world-class bowler over the covers [off Archer], it's aways great, but I really liked the shots against Adil Rashid as well," he added.
Abhishek's explosive batting propelled India to a massive 247/9, their highest-ever T20I total against England, after the visitors chose to bowl first. England's response was meek, as they were bundled out for a mere 97 runs in the 11th over. After dismantling the England bowling attack with his bat, Abhishek returned to trouble them with the ball, taking two crucial wickets (2/3) in his only over. His victims included Brydon Carse (3) and Jamie Overton (1).
