India opener Abhishek Sharma has stated that his mentor Yuvraj Singh was overjoyed when he got out for a duck on his T20I debut against Zimbabwe, as the swashbuckling former all-rounder thought it was a “good start”. Abhishek, making his India debut, went out for a duck as the Men in Blue lost the first T20I against hosts Zimbabwe by 13 runs on Saturday. However, the 23-year-old rallied to set the stage ablaze with a scorching maiden century (a 47-ball 100) in India’s 100-run victory the next day.

I spoke to him and I don’t know why he was very happy when I got out on zero. He said that’s a good start but he must be very happy and proud just like my family, Abhishek said in a video posted by BCCI. It’s all because of him as well, the hard work he has put in shaping me. For two to three years, he has worked really hard not only on my cricket but off the field as well, the young cricketer added.

Well done very proud, you deserve it. Many more such innings to come this is just the start, Yuvraj said. I was in a flow and just wanted to express myself. I spoke to Rutu as well, and he said the same thing don’t think much about the balls and hit what you think you can, Abhishek expressed.

Special thanks to Shubman who timely gave me his bat, this was a much-needed innings for me and the team. This has been going on from U-14 times. Whenever I play with his bat I have done well, the left-handed batter concluded.