Gambhir, SKY Doing For Abhishek What Kirsten Did For Me: Yuvraj Singh

One of the driving forces behind India’s triumphs in the 2007 T20 World Cup and the 2011 ODI World Cup, Yuvraj Singh, believes that the support he once received from former coach Gary Kirsten is exactly what young opener Abhishek Sharma is now getting from head coach Gautam Gambhir and T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav - the freedom to play fearless cricket.

Abhishek, who considers Yuvraj his mentor and has spent considerable time honing his game under his guidance, has rapidly become one of the most exciting T20 batters in the world. Currently the top-ranked T20I batter in the world, the left-hander has amassed 961 runs in 26 innings since his debut in July 2024, averaging 36.96 with a staggering strike rate of 192.20.

His 2025 numbers have been even more astonishing - 705 runs in just 15 innings at an average of 47 and a strike rate exceeding 200, including one century and five half-centuries. His explosive starts in the powerplay have been instrumental in India’s dominance in the shortest format since the last T20 World Cup.

“I think the fearlessness also comes with support from the coach and the captain. When the coach and captain allow you to go and play your game fearlessly, it allows you to express yourself, and that’s where I come from as well,” Yuvraj told PTI.

“When Gary Kirsten was the coach, he would always tell me that if you go and play your game and if you play the way you do, you will put India in a winning position.

“Hence the confidence that Gautam and Suryakumar have given him — if you go and play your game, you will put India in a winning position six out of ten times — and that is what he is doing.”

Abhishek has continued his fine form in the ongoing T20I series against Australia, registering scores of 19 (14), 68 (37), and 25 (16) so far. His 68 at the MCG stood out - on a surface offering plenty of assistance to the seamers, the youngster counterattacked with a strike rate of 183.78, producing a match-defining fifty when no other Indian batter could find their footing.

Former Australian all-rounder Shane Watson has also joined the list of admirers. “He is an absolute treat to watch. He's incredibly good, isn't he? He is so fearless, but then he's got the skill to be able to adapt to whatever's required as well," Watson told Hindustan Times.

"It's been special to see his evolution over the last two or three years — from when he first came in and got opportunities for Sunrisers Hyderabad to how he has continued to explode since. He's got all the different gears, all the different shots against different bowlers in different conditions as well."

With the five-match series level at 1-1 after the first game was washed out, the contest now heads to Carrara Oval in Queensland for the fourth T20I on November 6 (Thursday).