In April, cricketer Abhishek Sharma was at a photoshoot, when one of the stylists asked to take a picture with him. He obliged. “She wrapped her hands in mine. And that picture went viral," he recalls. “It was all over social media that I have a new girlfriend."
At 23, Sharma isn't used to viral photos and overactive rumour mills. He's been playing cricket since he was a kid, but only shot to national fame during this year's IPL season, when he hit the fastest IPL 50 for Sunrisers Hyderabad, making 63 off 23 balls, and becoming the second-highest run-scorer in the team's history. He's on the map. He's in the spotlight. He's hoping to break into the India cricket team. Fame? It was not part of the syllabus until now.
Sharma's cricket story started early. His father, Raj Kumar Sharma, played for Punjab. By the time Abhishek Sharma was born, his father had already set up a cricket academy in Amritsar. Naturally, he was young Sharma's first coach. "I started going with him to the academy when I was probably around five or six," Sharma recalls. “Everything I saw at home was about cricket - his trophies, him playing. Everything revolved around cricket."
He made it to the team at an under-12 tournament. "That's when I realised I could bat and bowl," he says. "At nine, I scored my first century; that's probably when I knew I was good."
Sharma's first moment in the spotlight was when he hit a century in his Under-19 debut for Punjab in the Vinoo Mankad Trophy. "There wasn't a lot of media attention, because domestic age group cricket isn't viewed much. But it was a great feeling," he recalls. He'd already been the leading run scorer in an Under -16 tournament. "So, I was definitely high on confidence, and it helped me believe I belonged at that level."
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Staying well within range
Driving from Mumbai to Mahabaleshwar in an XC40 Recharge at night means going against the odds but it's not dangerous
Forget demure, forget mindful
Women are expected to dress their age. But why should arbitrary numbers dictate anyone's choices? Wear what you want, when you want
Bubbling under, boiling over
The year's best food yet, from Bandra to Seoul, from old names and new, from starters to afters
The new spin doctors
Come for the hooping, stay for fire poi, dapostar, leviwand and more. India's newest subculture blends art and athletics, meditation and showmanship, public and private. And it looks great on the 'gram
Shall we put a label on this?
What is high fructose corn syrup? Is red dye good? Dieticians and nutritionists break down the confusing stuff we see on food labels
Pho heaven's sake, explore!
There's more to Vietnam than the Golden Bridge or Ha Long Bay. Discover limestone cliffs, rice terraces, and local foods that haven't made it to the 'gram
No. Wait. She did what?
These mean girls are self-centred, bratty, and can make your life hell. But they stole the show. Read on, loser. And tell us how it wasssss
Are you seeing spots too?
Jyoti Bhatt's serigraphs use traditional symbols in modern ways, creating art that is slyly clever and full of little stories
Leave us to our own devices
Instead of banning gadgets, restaurants should ban people that are actually disturbing the peace
Siam Siam, but different
The reason Indians feel instantly at home in Thailand is because their mix of Hindu and Buddhist traditions so closely mirrors our own, creating a comfort zone abroad