‘It’ll happen in next 2-3 years’ - When Yuvraj Singh predicted Abhishek Sharma to play for Team India

The impact of former World Cup-winning all-rounder Yuvraj Singh on his transformation from an unreliable prospect to the world's top T20I batsman was emphasised by India's dashing opener Abhishek Sharma. Yuvraj continues to play a crucial role in the development of the young southpaw.

Abhishek claimed that although he had been having trouble before, his batting technique had improved after he began training with Yuvraj. He said that the former India all-rounder had faith in him and assured him during the Covid-19 pandemic-induced lockdown that he would win games for India in two to three years. Abhishek finished the recently concluded Asia Cup as the leading scorer with 314 runs in seven games.

“I am very grateful. During the lockdown we would have camps at his place. Me, Shubman, Prabhsimran, Anmolpreet. Basically I needed it. We were going on a flight and I asked him if we could have a camp for a few days. He told yes right away. I was struggling a bit at that time, honestly. I was not consistent in the IPL and I was not even in the playing XI. Shubman was already playing for India," Sharma said on the “Breakfast with Champions” show.

“I started feeling that I was behind, as people from my age group were doing well already. We were having lunch at his place and paaji told me straight away that he was not preparing me for the state or the IPL or even to get a cap for India. He told me I am making you ready to win games for India. Write this, and it will happen in the next two to three years. After that camp, I realized my goal is something else,” he added.

The "detail-oriented" Yuvraj would take notes, carefully examine their performances, and compare them to previous appearances to gauge their improvement, Abhishek revealed. He has played a pivotal role in shaping what Abhishek Sharma represents today, a true match-winner.

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