A young Abhishek Sharma took the Indian Premier League (IPL) by storm as he formed a formidable opening partnership with Travis Head at Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). The fiery duo was responsible for various broken IPL records as they posted the highest total in league’s history. Abhishek got his maiden T20I callup on the back of a brilliant IPL season but his T20I career did not get off to a desired start. He got out for a four-ball duck on his T20I debut as India failed to chase down 116 against Zimbabwe. In the first T20I, he unleashed carnage and slammed a century from just 46 balls. After Abhishek’s statement knock, his father Rajkumar Sharma said that he blamed his obsession with clearing ropes after a duck on July 6.
“He wanted to get off the mark with a six. He misread the length and couldn’t connect it. But today, he not only started his innings with a six but also completed his century with the maximum (hat-trick of sixes),” Rajkumar told the Indian Express after India’s 100-run win in second T20I.
Rajkumar revealed that he had a conversation with his son after the first T20I. He had to remind the 23-year-old on why he was picked in the squad.
“He was a bit dejected. You can’t blame him. When you get out on nought on your debut, you do question your approach. He was blaming himself for his six-hitting obsession. I reminded him that his six-hitting ability has helped him reach here. Why change your style now, stick to your strength,” he said.
Laxman said treat it like IPL
He lauded childhood friend and coach Shubman Gill, VVS Laxman for putting confidence in him. Laxman advised him to treat T20Is as if he is playing in the IPL.
“Captain (Shubman) and coach (Laxman) saab also had a word with him after the match. Laxman sir told him, ‘You were thrashing all the international bowlers in the IPL. Treat it as any IPL match, take your time, get acclimatised and then no one will stop you’,” he said.
“With Shubman being the captain, it has also helped. The duo has opened for Punjab since their U-14 days and now they are opening for India. Mark my words, these two will forge a destructive opening partnership and will win many games for India in the future,” he added.
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