"Not Easy!": Abhishek Sharma Hits Back at Yuvraj Singh's 12-Ball Fifty Banter
Abhishek Sharma hits a stunning century and responds to mentor Yuvraj Singh's banter about the record-breaking 12-ball half-century.
In a thrilling encounter in Wellington, India's explosive opener Abhishek Sharma didn't just dismantle the New Zealand bowling attack; he also found himself in a playful war of words with his mentor and cricketing legend, Yuvraj Singh. The banter centered around one of the most iconic records in T20 history: the 12-ball half-century.
A Masterclass in Power Hitting
Chasing a formidable target of 199 in 20 overs, Abhishek Sharma played an innings for the ages. He smashed a breathtaking 113 off just 38 deliveries, a knock decorated with 11 towering sixes and nine boundaries. His aggression propelled India to a dominant six-wicket victory, chasing down the total in a mere 13.2 overs.
While Sharma reached his half-century in 15 balls—a feat in itself—it wasn't fast enough to escape the watchful eye of Yuvraj Singh on social media. Yuvraj, who famously holds the record for the fastest T20I fifty (12 balls) against England in the 2007 World Cup, took to Instagram to tease his protégé.
"You still can't get 50 off 12 can you @abhisheksharma_4! Looks like two left-handers batting in their backyard! @vaibhav_sooryavanshi09," Yuvraj joked.
Abhishek's Witty Response
After being named the Player of the Match, Abhishek Sharma addressed the banter with a smile during the post-match presentations. While acknowledging the greatness of Yuvraj's feat, he pointed out the sheer difficulty of replicating such a miracle.
"I have said this before. I don't know what cricket he was playing at the time," Sharma laughed. "If anyone wants to go out and bat like that, it is not easy. It is not easy to get a fifty in 12 balls. But we do not think about that; we want to just win the match for our team."
The "Backyard" Partnership
The match also highlighted a glimpse into the future of Indian cricket, as Abhishek shared a blistering opening stand with 15-year-old prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. The duo combined for a massive 133-run partnership, with Sooryavanshi contributing a quickfire 45 off 19 balls.
Reflecting on their approach, Abhishek credited the conditions and their mental state:
- Enjoyment: He emphasized that he and Vaibhav focused on enjoying their time in the middle.
- Strategy: They noticed extra bounce during the fielding innings and decided to target the shorter side of the boundary.
- Preparation: Sharma gave a "huge shoutout" to the coaching staff and side-arm bowlers, noting that he had "manifested" the innings after a productive practice session.
Series Sealed
India's clinical performance, where they chased the target with 40 balls to spare, has officially sealed the five-match series with two games remaining. The Indian squad will now move to Auckland for the fourth T20I at Eden Park this Friday, aiming to keep their winning streak alive before the tour concludes.