Former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh has shared candid insights into his mentorship of Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma, two of Indian cricket’s brightest talents. Recalling his conversations with both players, Yuvraj highlighted their contrasting approaches while praising Gill’s work ethic and consistency and acknowledging Abhishek’s explosive impact.
Yuvraj said he began working closely with the duo just before the Covid-19 period and immediately sensed that Gill was a step ahead. According to him, Gill was far more hardworking than the average cricketer and showed an exceptional willingness to adapt. Yuvraj noted that every suggestion he made was quickly absorbed by Gill and reflected in his batting, which he believes explains Gill’s rise to leadership roles across formats.
Speaking about Abhishek Sharma, Yuvraj revealed that he put the left-hander through a clear, long-term process. He advised Abhishek to focus on playing for India rather than chasing IPL success. Yuvraj said that Abhishek trusted the process, and almost exactly four years later, he made his India debut, proving that patience and discipline pay off.
However, Yuvraj also admitted that he often disagrees with Abhishek on modern T20 batting approaches. He expressed concern that today’s players do not value their wickets enough and rely heavily on fearless hitting. Yuvraj contrasted this with Gill’s method, pointing out that Gill gives himself time at the crease, which leads to greater consistency.
While praising Abhishek’s ability to change games quickly, Yuvraj said he has urged him to reduce unnecessary risk and focus on building innings when needed. In Yuvraj’s view, Gill’s temperament and willingness to bat time make him more reliable across conditions, while Abhishek thrives on impact-driven performances.