Young India opener Abhishek Sharma bounced back to form in the second Twenty20 International (T20I) against Zimbabwe to notch up his maiden century. His match-winning knock came after the opener was dismissed for a duck in the first match.

Following the 47-ball century, laced with seven boundaries and eight hits over the fence, Sharma spoke to his mentor and 2011 World Cup winner Yuvraj Singh over a video call. For the unversed, the Team India legend has been pivotal in shaping Sharma’s career in the domestic circuit.

“Very proud! Well done, very proud. You deserve it. Many more to come. This is just the start,” the 2011 World Cup winner told Abhishek Sharma over video call.

“I spoke to him yesterday as well. I don’t know why but he was very happy when I got out for 0. He was like, ‘That’s a good start’, but I think he must be feeling very proud, just like my family. It’s all because of him. The hard work he has put in me for years. He has been working really hard on everything; I wouldn’t say it’s just on cricket. Off the field as well.”

Courtesy of his century, Team India clinched victory by 100 runs against the hosts in the second match. The Punjab opener will be next seen in action in the third T20I on Wednesday.

Sharma has an experience of 106 T20s. He has scored 2771 runs with the highest score of 112 at an average of 30.45. The 23-year-old holds a strike rate of over 154 and has recorded four centuries and 16 half-centuries in the format.