Former India star Yuvraj Singh took to social media to playfully poke fun at his protégé, Abhishek Sharma, the in-form India T20I opener. The light-hearted interaction followed Abhishek’s Instagram post, where he shared a set of pictures in an all-black outfit with the caption “Just me”.
Reacting to the post, Yuvraj wrote, “Apni tariffan aap hi! Wah chote dean saab,” in his trademark humorous style, instantly drawing attention from fans and followers. The exchange reflects the camaraderie between mentor and mentee, as well as Yuvraj’s continued interest in Sharma’s performances.
Abhishek Sharma has been in sensational form for India, most recently smashing the second-fastest T20I fifty by an Indian in the third T20I against New Zealand. He reached the milestone in just 14 balls, narrowly missing Yuvraj’s record 12-ball fifty from the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007. Sharma finished unbeaten on 68 off 20 balls, hitting five sixes and seven fours to help India chase 154 in just 10 overs, sealing a 3–0 lead in the five-match series.
Yuvraj also took to X to congratulate his protégé, keeping the banter alive: “Still can’t get a 50 off 12 balls, can you? Well played — keep going strong!” The playful rivalry highlights both pride and friendly competitiveness between the mentor and young star.
Abhishek’s performances underline India’s growing T20I batting depth, with captain Suryakumar Yadav providing steady support. The 25-year-old has now accumulated 859 runs in 21 T20Is at an impressive strike rate of 193.46, including one century and five fifties.
The youngster will next face New Zealand in the fourth T20I in Vizag on January 28, with his mentor keeping a close eye on the rising star.
