During his time with SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) from 2018 to 2021, commentator and former Bengal wicketkeeper-batter Shreevats Goswami shared a light-hearted anecdote about his former teammate, Abhishek Sharma. Goswami joked that his only advice to Abhishek was to keep his room clean. He described Abhishek’s room as “dark, cold, and messy,” with clothes scattered everywhere. “I also told him to wake up on time,” Goswami added in an exclusive interview with TOI.
However, Goswami also praised Abhishek’s passion for cricket. He mentioned how Abhishek was always eager to get opportunities, particularly as an opener. “He is fearless and plays with great intensity, which is reflected in his performances, like the fifth T20I against England where he scored a century,” Goswami noted.
While Abhishek is often in the spotlight for his big-hitting, his bowling has also become an important part of his game. Abhishek has previously shared that Yuvraj Singh believes he could become a better bowler than him. Goswami attributed much of Abhishek’s growth as a bowler to SRH’s spin bowling coach, Muttiah Muralitharan. “Muralitharan encouraged him to bowl more in the nets after batting,” Goswami explained. He also noted that SRH’s management advised Abhishek to bowl in domestic cricket to further develop his skills.
Abhishek’s growth has been noticed by his fellow cricketers, including all-rounder Jagadeesha Suchith, who played alongside him at SRH during the 2021 IPL. Suchith recalled Abhishek discussing his struggles with clearing the boundary in the later stages of matches and his wavering confidence due to being in and out of the team. “I told him what Sachin Tendulkar once told me, ‘Keep working hard, and things will change overnight,'” Suchith said. He advised Abhishek to stay focused on the process and perform in each match, as preparation and planning would help him in challenging times. Reflecting on his own experiences, Suchith shared a memory from IPL 2015 when he had to bowl to Shane Watson during the powerplay while playing for Mumbai Indians. Despite the pressure, Suchith’s skill development helped him manage the situation effectively.
Both Goswami and Suchith highlighted Abhishek’s resilience and determination, marking him as a player with immense potential both with the bat and the ball.
