Former Indian cricket star Yuvraj Singh took to social media to share a playful, congratulatory message for his mentee, Abhishek Sharma, following the latter's record-breaking performance in the third T20I against New Zealand. On Tuesday, Abhishek delivered an explosive display of batting, hammering 113 runs off just 38 deliveries at the Hnry Stadium in Wellington. The innings was instrumental in guiding India to a commanding victory, giving them an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series.
Yuvraj’s lighthearted remarks centered on his own iconic performance during the 2007 T20 World Cup, where he famously scored 50 runs in 12 balls against England, an innings that included six sixes in a single over. Addressing Abhishek on the social media platform X, Yuvraj wrote, “You still can’t get 50 off 12, can you!” He joked that it appeared as though two left-handers were simply batting in their own backyard. The former champion also humbly acknowledged the young batter's prowess, noting that he himself could never manage to score a century off 30 or 34 balls.
The match was significant for several reasons, as Abhishek’s performance saw him achieve his 11th century in all T20 cricket. With this milestone, he surpassed Virat Kohli, who has 10, for the highest number of centuries by an Indian in the format. Only Chris Gayle and Babar Azam have recorded more centuries in T20 cricket globally, with 22 and 13 respectively. During the same game, Abhishek shared a productive partnership with Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, which drew praise from Yuvraj for being a devastating combination.
Responding to the mentor’s banter during the post-game interview, Abhishek expressed his admiration for Yuvraj’s legendary innings but noted the immense difficulty of replicating such achievements. “I don’t know what cricket he was playing back at that time, but it’s not that easy at all,” Abhishek said. He explained that a batter cannot simply aim for such high-velocity scoring, as it tends to happen only once in a while. The young opener maintained that his primary focus during the match was to provide a solid start for the team and maintain momentum.
Beyond his own record, Abhishek emphasized the collective effort of the squad. He noted that the team’s ultimate goal was winning the match, rather than chasing personal milestones. The victory was bolstered by strong contributions from others, including Sanju Samson, whom Yuvraj highlighted for playing as a "complete team man" at the number three position. Furthermore, the Indian bowling unit received commendation for successfully keeping the New Zealand total under 200, ensuring a comfortable win.
This performance marks a notable high point for the Indian team as they continue their series against New Zealand. Abhishek’s ability to anchor the innings while scoring at a blistering pace has solidified his reputation as a key player in the format. With the series already decided in India's favor, the remaining matches offer a chance for the team to test their bench strength and refine their strategies ahead of future international encounters.
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