Abhishek Sharma credits Yuvraj Singh for big-match mindset
Synopsis
A lockdown training camp with childhood idol Yuvraj Singh didn't just improve Abhishek Sharma's skills — it rewired his belief system. Yuvraj told him he was being prepared to win big matches for India, not just play a few games. With 380 IPL runs already this season, Abhishek appears to be living up to exactly that mandate.
Key Takeaways
Abhishek Sharma has scored 380 runs in 8 matches in IPL 2025 , with 3 fifties and 1 century .
Yuvraj Singh told Abhishek during a lockdown camp that he was being prepared to "win big matches for India" — a statement Abhishek calls career-defining.
Abhishek's father played Ranji Trophy for Punjab and was also a cricket coach, providing an early cricketing foundation.
Teammate Travis Head advised Abhishek to back himself from the very first ball if it is in his slot — advice he has since built into his practice.
Abhishek is a T20 World Cup winner and describes the IPL as the world's number one T20 league and a key learning platform.
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) opener Abhishek Sharma has credited former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh for shaping his mental approach to high-pressure cricket, revealing that a lockdown training camp with his childhood idol fundamentally altered his belief in himself. The 25-year-old made the remarks in an interview with JioStar as he continues to be one of the standout performers of the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season.
Lockdown Camp That Changed Everything
Abhishek recalled how the COVID-19 lockdown became an unexpected turning point in his career when Yuvraj chose to work closely with a select group of players. "Training with Yuvi paaji was a huge moment for me. I had looked up to him since I was a child. He was my idol," Abhishek told JioStar.
He described a specific conversation that reshaped his entire outlook: "He told me that the training and mindset we were building was not just for domestic cricket or IPL, and not just for playing a few games for India. He said that he was preparing me mentally to win big matches for India, to play impactful innings, and to deliver with the ball when it matters most."
Current IPL Form
Abhishek's words carry weight given his performances this season. He has scored 380 runs in eight matches, registering three fifties and one century, placing him among the leading run-getters of the tournament. His aggressive, top-order batting has been central to SRH's campaign in the ongoing edition.
Family Roots and Early Cricket
The left-hander also reflected on the cricketing environment that surrounded him from childhood. "My father played Ranji Trophy for Punjab and was also a coach. Watching him inspired me to take up the game," he said. He added that an Under-12 tournament — where he scored runs and picked up wickets — was the moment he realised he had the talent to pursue cricket seriously.
Travis Head's Influence on Batting Mindset
Beyond Yuvraj, Abhishek also acknowledged the role of SRH teammate Travis Head in sharpening his aggressive batting instincts. He revealed he had followed Head's game for over a year and a half before the Australian joined the franchise. "The first thing I asked him was about his batting mindset," Abhishek said. Head's advice was straightforward: watch the ball closely, and if the first delivery is in your slot, go for it. Abhishek said he has incorporated that philosophy into his pre-IPL practice routine.
IPL as a Learning Ground
Abhishek described the IPL as the world's premier T20 league and a non-negotiable platform for growth. "I treat every IPL season as a learning experience. Playing alongside and against these top players teaches you so much," he said. The T20 World Cup-winning player appears to be translating those lessons into consistent performances, steadily cementing his place as one of Indian cricket's most promising emerging talents.
Point of View
Not just technical: he reframed the ceiling Abhishek placed on himself. The lockdown, widely seen as a lost period for cricketers, became a forge for at least one career. Whether Abhishek can sustain this form across formats — particularly in Test cricket — remains the larger question that IPL runs alone cannot answer.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Yuvraj Singh tell Abhishek Sharma during their lockdown training?
Yuvraj Singh told Abhishek that the training and mindset they were building was aimed at winning big matches for India and playing impactful innings — not merely surviving at the domestic or IPL level. Abhishek has described this as a statement that fundamentally changed his belief in himself.
How has Abhishek Sharma performed in IPL 2025?
Abhishek Sharma has scored 380 runs in eight matches in IPL 2025, with three fifties and one century, making him one of the tournament's leading run-getters. He has been SRH's primary batting aggressor at the top of the order.
How did Travis Head influence Abhishek Sharma's batting?
Travis Head advised Abhishek to watch the ball closely and back himself to hit the first delivery if it is in his slot. Abhishek incorporated this aggressive philosophy into his pre-IPL practice and credits it for his attacking approach this season.
What is Abhishek Sharma's cricketing background?
Abhishek Sharma's father played Ranji Trophy for Punjab and was also a cricket coach, giving him an early cricketing environment at home. He first recognised his all-round talent — batting and bowling — during an Under-12 tournament where he scored heavily and took wickets.
Why does Abhishek Sharma consider the IPL important for his development?
Abhishek considers the IPL the world's number one T20 league and treats every season as a learning experience. He believes competing alongside and against the best international cricketers accelerates development in ways domestic cricket cannot replicate.
