India's destructive batter Abhishek Sharma's father, Rajkumar Sharma, gives a huge credit to legendary all-rounder Yuvraj Singh for polishing his son for the big stage. Abhishek who is featuring for the first time in a multinational tournament, was at his best against Pakistan's premier pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi, driving him down the ground for four and lofting him over cover for six in successive deliveries, in the opening over of India's chase of 128.
He later picked Afridi for a sensational pick-up shot over midwicket and also smashed him behind point during his 13-ball 31, which included two sixes and four boundaries. Rajkumar revealed that India's World Cup-winning star Yuvraj Singh spent a lot of time with him to groom him for his international career.
"Yuvraj Singh also has a huge part to play in his making. He spent a lot of time with him, gave him advice and shared his experience, so thanks to him as well. Yuvi has helped him a lot to give him international-level experience.
"Now many big players and many good coaches have joined him, they have a lot of experience. I'm very happy that Abhishek got such teachers.
"They give him love and blessings. He is playing for India, we are very happy that God has given him a chance. I pray to God that India wins the Asia Cup and he performs well and helps India win it" Rajkumar said in a BCCI video titled 'The Making of Abhishek Sharma'.
How young Abhishek Sharma used to play during childhood
Abhishek's father, Rajkumar, also revealed that his son's journey to become the No. 1 T20I batter began when he used to insist on batting with his father's kit, trouble his mother, and rope in his two sisters for late-night practice sessions.
"There was a cricket atmosphere in my house. He was a child when he used to play with my bat. He used to trouble his mother. I have two daughters and he used to ask them to help him practice, make him bat at night," added Rajkumar.
"Sometimes he used to tell me I need diving practice, throw a catch to me. Seeing his passion, I thought he could become a player, then I brought him to the ground. The senior players used to say, your son has a lot of talent, he would play for India.
"I used to say he is still a kid, he just learnt to hold the bat. But all the blessings, love of the people and his hard work has brought him here," the proud father said at the ICC Cricket Academy here ahead of Sunday's marquee clash against Pakistan.
Team India have already sealed their berth for the Asia Cup 2025 after registering two consecutive wins against UAE and Pakistan, respectively, at the Dubai International Stadium in Dubai.