Hello folks! In this episode of #BlabwithSandy, we have Sunrisers Hyderabad’s dashing opener and Indian cricket’s bright future, Abhishek Sharma with Sandy. Abhishek has been storming the cricket scenes with his sensational knocks. Sandy has already represented Vizag district and Andhra in cricket. This Collab is something that the cricket folks have been waiting for and let’s wait no further and dive into the exciting blab:
Sandy: Hello Abhishek brother! Hope you are doing as good as your batting.
Abhishek: Hahaha! Yes, ofcourse.
Sandy: Could you throw some shots on your background?
Abhishek: I completed my schooling from DPS, Amritsar. My dad was a cricketer himself and it has always been a cricket atmosphere in the house. My dad had an academy and I used to go with him for practice. When I turned six, I started becoming passionate about cricket.
Sandy: How and when did the cricket bug hit you?
Abhishek: When I turned nine, I felt the need to update my skills and that’s when I started playing professional cricket. I always wanted to become a cricketer and it all started when I was really young.
Sandy: You were part of the U-19 WC team. Amidst expectations, you represented Punjab and have done great job. How was life before IPL?
Abhishek: It’s all about the thought process. Even before the IPL, I had thought that I need to play for the country. Red ball cricket is what I concentrated more upon and even now, my focus is on red ball cricket. If I am good in domestic cricket, I was sure I will do well in white ball cricket and at the international level.
My game is aggressive and that’s what made me concentrate on white ball cricket too, as the game is fast evolving. My scores were good at the Ranji level and representing Punjab gave me a high. Everything that I worked upon made me reach the IPL and the senior Indian team.
Sandy: You started out with Delhi but Sunrisers is where you got to play more matches. How has the experience been playing with the SRH team and management?
Abhishek: I am lucky enough to have had the opportunity to be picked by Sunrisers Hyderabad and be amongst many great players, coaches, who have been legends of the game.
Sunrisers Hyderabad has always been a team with immense experience and this aspect helped me in being fear free and go with my instincts. The initial years of mine at SRH gave me a chance to interact with senior players and that’s how I built my confidence.
Sandy: Let’s take a step back and discuss about your initial years with SRH. Kane Williamson and David Warner!. How was it playing with them? And how different are both from each other? And, how is Pat Cummins as a captain?
Abhishek: Difference isn’t much. Warner is aggressive on the field while Kane is calm and composed. Their leadership styles are different. Kane was pretty good as a captain, as he used to give me a free hand to bowl whenever I felt comfortable. Warner is a great leader and he mostly used to give me the new ball to bowl.
Pat Cummins is a revelation. He has shown his capabilities on the international front. He is always positive as a cricketer and that translates into his captaincy.
Sandy: Your allround abilities have worked wonders for you as well as the team. What do you enjoy doing the most?
Abhishek: During my initial years, I was positioned in the middle order for the Sunrisers Hyderabad. I had to adjust in accordance to the team plan. Over the years, I was made to open, and this is what I always wanted to do!
Opening is where I was able to showcase my talent and it has worked out very well. It is quite satisfying to see that I was able to win important matches for Sunrisers Hyderabad.
About my bowling, I have always said yes to bowl whenever I was asked to. I enjoy spinning the ball around and I want to be known as an all-rounder, who also is good at fielding.
Sandy: Being a cricketer myself, it was a dream to represent India. I played alongside KS Bharat and we were batchmates. During our initial years itself, we used to hear that India used to find it tough to find potential allrounder. We have been having all rounder issues since a long time, until the arrival of Yuvraj Singh. He has been a great role model for allrounders in India and you have been under his mentorship. A few words about your association with Yuvraj Singh.
Abhisek: It has been five years since I have collaborated with him and the results are for all to see! He has been a great support system for me. He makes me focus on my fitness first, then bowling and then batting, haha! The practice sessions that I have with him are truly inspirational, as they have paved the way for me to do well at the international circuit.
Quick Shot Round:
– Biggest fear: Not sure what it is 🙂
– If not a cricketer, you’d have been: A Businessman
– Laziest player in the dressing room: Manish Pandey
– Favourite stroke of yours: The Cover Drive and also the shot that goes over the head of the bowler
– Abhishek the batsman or bowler: Abhishek the Allrounder
– Closest pal in team: Used to be Abdul Samad
– A Bowler you fear facing in the nets: Earlier it was Umran Malik, Billy Stanlake. Now, Pat Cummins
– Imagine being stuck in the lift with a cricketer, with whom would you want to be stuck and why? Ricky Ponting – as I used to like him as a player and admire his captaincy
– Most used app on your phone: Instagram
– Your worst habit: I do not check messages regularly
Sandy: Your fitness routine as well as the diet plan that you generally follow?
Abhishek: I get to hit the gym at 7 am on most days. After which, I practice in the day and also do a light session in the evening. I maintain a light diet. I am a foodie but I prefer to be on more of liquids and have a steady diet that helps me feel easy whilst my running sessions.
Sandy: Your partnerships with Travis Head always grab great attention.
Abhishek: It’s the long sleeve power, haha! I have had some great games with him and I enjoy playing along with Travis. We gel well as teammates and that’s what shows on the field.
Sandy: Anything you’d like to say to Hyderabad Sunrisers fans?
Abhishek: The Orange Army is always there for us. Your support it magical. Keep supporting me and the team like you always do.
Sandy: Any piece of advice you’d like to give to the newcomers?
Abhishek: Please work hard for what you want to become in your life. Be it cricket or any career, practice is very important. Even if it’s cricket, on the side lines, do complete your studies. While practicing cricket, treat it as a test to make yourself feel confident about representing the country. That’s how you will work more harder.
Sandy: A few words about The Hyderabad Local.
Abhishek: It was real fun blabbing with you, Sandy. All the best to The HyderabadLocal. Keep supporting Sunrisers Hyderabad!
Interview by Sandy (Instagram @blabwithsandy)