Abhishek Sharma Reveals India Coaching Staff's Backing Has Boosted His Confidence

Abhishek Sharma reveals how India's coaching staff, including captain Suryakumar Yadav and coach Gautam Gambhir, have boosted his confidence.

India's coaching staff has given opener Abhishek Sharma the freedom to showcase his aggressive batting style. Sharma, 24, stated that the team management has encouraged him to bat with unbridled aggression, but he also recognizes the importance of consistency to retain his place in the Twenty20 squad.

Sharma's attacking approach paid off in the opening T20 International against England in Kolkata, where he belted eight sixes and five fours to secure India's seven-wicket victory. This impressive display followed his 46-ball hundred against Zimbabwe in July last year. However, Sharma had struggled to replicate this form in his first nine innings, with his recent scores of 50, 36, and 79 being a welcome relief.

According to Sharma, the support from captain Suryakumar Yadav and coach Gautam Gambhir has been instrumental in boosting his confidence. “In India, there will always be a lot of competition in our senior team,” Sharma acknowledged. He expressed gratitude towards the team management, saying, “As a batsman, it can play on your mind if you don't score runs in three, four, five innings ... When we did not do well, even then they tell us 'we know you're going to win the game for us, just go and express yourself'.”

Sharma emphasized the significance of having the captain and coach's backing, stating, “When the captain or the coach says this, you get confidence and back yourself.” This vote of confidence has allowed Sharma to focus on his game and showcase his talents without undue pressure.

India's coaching staff has given opener Abhishek Sharma the freedom to bat aggressively, and he acknowledges the need to be consistent to retain his spot in the Twenty20 squad. Sharma, 24, recently showcased his attacking style by belting eight sixes and five fours in India's seven-wicket victory over England in the opening T20 International in Kolkata.

Sharma's impressive display against England followed his 46-ball hundred against Zimbabwe in July last year. Although he had struggled to replicate this form in his first nine innings, his recent scores of 50, 36, and 79 have been a welcome relief. Sharma recognizes the intense competition within India's senior team, saying, ”In India, there will always be a lot of competition in our senior team.”

Sharma expressed gratitude towards captain Suryakumar Yadav and coach Gautam Gambhir for their support, which has boosted his confidence. He noted, “As a batsman, it can play on your mind if you don't score runs in three, four, five innings ... When we did not do well, even then they tell us 'we know you're going to win the game for us, just go and express yourself'.” Sharma emphasized the significance of having the captain and coach's backing, stating, “When the captain or the coach says this, you get confidence and back yourself.”

Abhishek Sharma joins the elite 200 sixes club in T20 Cricket for Team India! 🇮🇳💪

Hitman leading the charge with a mammoth 525 sixes 🚀👊#RohitSharma #AbhishekSharma #India #T20Is #Sportskeeda pic.twitter.com/4gxLQbdr1R

— Sportskeeda (@Sportskeeda) January 23, 2025

To prepare for matches, Sharma engages in net sessions against bowlers with actions similar to those he will face. He considers himself fortunate to be guided by esteemed left-handed batsmen, including former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh, West Indies great Brian Lara, and coach Gautam Gambhir. Sharma said, “They just want me to showcase my talent in the way I play and to back myself.”

India will face England in the second T20 International of the five-match series in Chennai on Saturday, providing Sharma with another opportunity to showcase his skills.