Abhishek Sharma.

On Thursday in Delhi, Abhishek Sharma scripted history with a record-breaking T20I century against Afghanistan. But it was his celebration that offered a glimpse beyond the numbers.

After reaching his milestone, Abhishek removed his helmet, sat cross-legged on the ground and struck a meditation pose—a quiet gesture of gratitude.

‘The Ground Is a Gurdwara’

His father, Rajkumar Sharma, was the only family member at the stadium. Yet he missed the moment live. “Though I was surrounded by his fans, I could not watch his unique style of celebration, which he did for the first time. I only saw it later on TV and social media.” The gesture, he revealed, carried a deeper meaning. “My son considers the cricket ground as a Gurdwara, and it was one kind of expressing gratitude towards God.”

The gesture also reflects the influence of Yuvraj Singh, Abhishek’s mentor. Their relationship extends beyond cricket, with yoga and meditation forming part of their shared routine. For Abhishek, Yuvraj’s mentorship has encompassed not just cricketing skills but discipline, resilience and mindfulness.

A Double Honour

Abhishek’s century earned him Player of the Match and Series honours as India sealed a 3-0 sweep. “I am so happy for his record innings and more importantly, India won the series 3-0. Our team is in terrific form and the confidence of players is very high. I hope the team continues to perform well in the Asian Games to be held in Japan.”

The Distant Father

Rajkumar has an unusual way of supporting his son—by staying away. “I am staying in another hotel. I never prefer to stay in the same hotel but at a different place. This avoids stress on Abhishek. I watch his matches and practice sessions from afar,” he said. For Abhishek, the century was a landmark on the scoreboard. But the celebration revealed something more personal: for him, the cricket ground is not merely a place to perform—it is a place to give thanks.

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