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Cricket PlayersAbhishek Sharma recalls Yuvraj Singh's 6 sixes in an over ahead of T20I series against South Africa
India will kick off their T20 series against South Africa in Durban, and Abhishek Sharma spoke about the importance of that venue to him.
India’s destructive top-order hitter Abhishek Sharma will be back in action for India as the T20I team prepares for a four-match series World Cup final rematch against South Africa, beginning this week in Durban’s Kingsmead Stadium.
This match marks a return for India to the ground at which Yuvraj Singh struck his famous six sixes against England and Stuart Broad in the 2007 T20 World Cup, enroute to India lifting that title.
17 years and one more T20 World Cup title later, Yuvraj’s protege and in some ways stylistic successor Abhishek reflected on returning to the ground where he, as a seven-year-old, watched Yuvraj light it up.
“I saw it on TV and I’m seeing it in person now, it’s a dream come true,” said Abhishek in a promotional video for the BCCI. “The moment that inspired me was when Yuvraj hit six sixes in Durban in the 2007 World Cup.”
“First day as soon as we came, I was trying to figure out which end he hit from, which sides he hit to,” continued Abhishek, who has represented India in eight T20Is to this point and already boasts of a century. “We discussed, the first went there, the second there, third over point. He hit sixes across the entire ground, it’s quite memorable.”
Abhishek's message for Yuvraj
Yuvraj was known for his free-flowing lefty strokes, in which he seemed to generate power with ease and looked elegant despite the immense strength clear in his game. Abhishek is an extremely similar player, having been on fire for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL this year and earning his Indian team cap as a result.
“I still remember, I was watching with my full family at our old house, and when we won, everyone in the colony came out to celebrate,” explained Abhishek. “Never thought then that one day I’ll get a chance to play here, but that feeling was there that I want to play now too.”
Speaking on the connection he feels to Yuvraj Singh, especially upon playing in Durban, Abhishek shared a message for the senior player. “I’m sure paaji will watch this match, and it will be a dream for me, because it’s by watching him in Durban that inspired me. That’s the message, that I’ll try my hardest and I’ll make you proud,” he concluded.
The Suryakumar Yadav led team will try to keep their edge over South Africa in this series, with the action beginning on 8th November at Kingsmead, Durban.
