Dubai: Former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh took a playful dig at Abhishek Sharma after the left-handed opener produced a sensational century in the third T20I against New Zealand on Tuesday.
Sharma smashed 113 runs off 38 balls, including 11 sixes and nine fours, as India made a blistering start in Wellington. Teenage opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi also contributed with an explosive 45 off 19 deliveries.
Reacting to the innings on X, Yuvraj reminded his protégé of his own remarkable record.
“You still can’t get 50 of 12 can you Abhishek Sharma! Looks like two left handers batting in their backyard!” he wrote. Sharma recorded his half-century in just 15 balls at Wellington.
The comment referred to Yuvraj’s famous 12-ball half-century against England at the 2007 T20 World Cup in South Africa. He smashed six sixes in an over off Stuart Broad during that match, setting a record for India’s fastest T20I fifty that still stands.
Yuvraj’s message was a familiar bit of banter between the two, with the former India star having played a key role in Sharma’s development. The 2011 World Cup winner has mentored the Punjab batter for several years, helping him refine his technique and approach to aggressive batting.
Sharma’s innings also helped India reach 100 runs in just five overs, setting a record for the fastest team hundred in men’s T20 internationals. The previous mark was held by Romania, who reached the milestone in five overs and two balls against Serbia.
Sharma eventually lost his wicket to Kyle Jamieson. Yuvraj’s playful challenge adds another chapter to the relationship between the mentor and his high-scoring protégé.