A quick-fire 52 off just 21 balls by Abhishek Sharma in the 2026 T20 World Cup final didn’t impress ex-India player Yograj Singh. Despite being a mentor to both Abhishek and Shubman Gill through his son Yuvraj, concerns lingered. Focus elsewhere than cricket seems to be where his mind drifts at times. Playing safe once in a while? Now that matters too. Reaching even near Yuvraj’s level may need lifetimes, according to Yograj. Discipline shapes everything out there – stars, tides, routines. Cricket runs best when tied tightly to it. Pulling late nights, chasing fame, distracted by flash – where skill fades fast, Yograj mentioned to InsideSport. Not drills, not discipline, but noise fills their days now. Screens, social climbs, spotlights stealing focus. Training takes a back seat when glamour knocks loud. Talent bends under pressure not from game – but choices off field.
Disgust is what Yograj felt toward Abhishek Sharma, he made that clear. A message sent – that came straight from him – to Abhishek. Atop the rankings in T20Is, Abhishek managed 141 runs across eight games during the tournament. Half-centuries? Two of them landed his way. Yet three times, nothing showed up beside his name – zero each time.
I can’t stand him (Sharma). Sometimes I send him notes – don’t treat this match like it means nothing. His reply? Always “yes sir.” A single exists. So does a two-run hit. Or four runs off the edge. You’re not meant to sky every shot. Failing comes even when you smash six after six, trying to thrill everyone,” Yograj remarked.
It was his choice to go by Shubman Gill. That name stuck without question. Not once did he hesitate. A quiet shift, yet everyone noticed. The old title faded fast behind it.
Focusing elsewhere pulls you off track. Happening now with Shubman Gill – what about Abhishek? Slipping happens once attention drifts away. This moment, that’s exactly where Abhishek stands. Folks see him strolling about filming clips, though it’s not what he’s meant to do. Come nine, really oughta be hitting the sack, Yograj said. Five o’clock comes, out he pops, ready to hit a thousand shots.
Out of nowhere, Yograj took issue with Ravichandran Ashwin’s remark about Arjun Tendulkar missing out on a spot in the Lucknow Super Giants lineup. Coaching Arjun for just a short stretch once made it feel personal.
“He is talking bullshit. This guy Ashwin, whoever he is. He should know what to talk about somebody. Somebody’s sitting on the television and talking, ‘Oh, he can’t do this, he can’t do that.’ Arey tum kya ho bhai (Who are you? What are you)?” Yograj said on InsideSport.
Cricket folks start chatting… Well, Sachin Tendulkar’s boy changes everything. Back when he showed up, I pulled Yuvi aside – everyone’s focused on Arjun the wrong way. Not really a bowler at all. Spine trouble slowed him early, plus his arms drop from nearly half-level. Back then, while he stayed around, my words went straight to him. His trainer heard too, during those days at Goa. As Arjun swung the bat, the ball kept flying – six after four. That moment sparked something loud inside me: why waste talent like that? A sharp question landed on the coaching staff – fix it or hand him over.
