‘Just The Start’: Mentor Yuvraj Singh’s Special Message For Abhishek After Maiden T20I Ton [Watch]

Bhubaneswar: Left-handed opener Abhishek Sharma’s feat in India’s sweet revenge against Zimbabwe became more special after former all-rounder Yuvraj Singh congratulated him for his maiden international 100 off just 46 balls.

After the game, BCCI shared a video of Abhishek conversing with Yuvraj, who mentored him, on a video call. “I’m very proud. Well done. You deserve it. Many more to come. This is just the start,” the former all-rounder told Abhishek.

The 23-year-old youngster called him a special person. He further stated that Yuvraj was very happy and said that it was a good start when he scored a four-ball duck in his debut game. “He must be very proud now as well just like my family. It is all because of him. The hard work he has put on me both on and off the field,” he added.

Abhishek brushed off the disappointment of getting a duck on his international debut by smashing a 46-ball century (7×4, 8×6) in the second T20 International against Zimbabwe at Harare on Sunday. His 50 came off 33 balls, but took just 13 balls to get his next 50.

It was the joint third-fastest T20I century by an Indian batter, after the blazing efforts of Rohit Sharma (35 balls), Suryakumar Yadav (45 balls) and KL Rahul (46 balls).

Abhishek and Ruturaj Gaikwad plundered 137 runs for the second wicket after skipper Shubman Gill fell for 2 in the second over. Ruturaj took centrestage after Abhishek’s dismissal and remained unbeaten on a brilliant 77 (off 47 balls, 11×4, 1×6) while Rinku Singh was 48 not out off 22 balls (2×4, 5×6) as India finished on 234/2 in 20 overs. India comfortably won the match by 100 runs after bundling out Zimbabwe for 134 in the 19th over. Medium-pacers Avesh Khan and Mukesh Kumar bagged 3 wickets each while Ravi Bishnoi picked up two scalps.