Abhishek Sharma Entering the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup as the No. 1 ranked batsman, he is expected to dominate the 2025 season with his aggressive strokeplay. However, the tournament turned into an early struggle for the 25-year-old, who opened with three ducks in a row and added a few more low scores, leading to criticism and questions over his place in the playing XI. Despite a poor start, Abhishek found his rhythm at a crucial stage. A 55 against Zimbabwe in the Super 8s signaled a turnaround before he delivered when it mattered most. In the final against New Zealand, he scored 52 runs off 21 balls, including an opening stand of 98 runs. Sanju Samson To set up India’s title-winning victory. Having entered the tournament as the top-ranked batsman, it was a campaign that tested both his methods and temperament before ending on a high. In a chat with TOI, his long-time childhood friend and Punjab teammate Nihal Vadhira opened up about Abhishek’s journey, recalling how his talent was evident from a very young age. “Abhishek and I have been playing together since U-14. So, yes, Abhishek definitely had those hitting skills right from the start,” said Vadhira. He recounted a memorable U-16 game that highlighted Abhishek’s ability to perform under pressure. “I still remember when, in the U-16 state tournament, he was captaining us. He, me, Shibman, Prabhasmaran, Naman Dhir – every one of us was there, and we won the championship that year too. There was a game against Gujarat in which we were chasing 410 on a turning track on the last day. Abhishek and Shibman made each other think. 180. We always knew what he was capable of. Vadhira emphasized that the aggressive batting that the world is witnessing today is the result of both natural ability and consistent hard work. “The game we are seeing now, we already knew about it. But he has definitely worked on it. The way he has maximized the opportunities in the powerplay is really admirable. Thanks to Yuvraj Singh and his father, who coached and mentored him.” Watching the rise of Abhishek, Vadhira has also made his way into the IPL, steadily growing as a reliable middle-order batsman.
learn from Ricky Ponting
Vadhira, recalling his first interaction during the camp in Dharamsala, spoke about the impact of head coach Ricky Ponting at Punjab Kings. “I met him for the first time,” Vadhira said. He is a very cheerful person, always positive and always upbeat. “He was appreciating me when I was hitting boundaries and sixes. I also asked him about his mentality while playing international cricket, how he handled fast bowlers during his tenure.” “For a head coach, maintaining a positive environment is the most important thing. I think he’s doing a really good job.”
Playing under Rohit Sharma
Vadhira began his IPL career with Mumbai Indians, making his debut under Rohit Sharma, an experience he still values.
Rohit Sharma with Priyansh Arya and Nihal Vadhira (PTI photo)
“I was lucky enough to make my debut under Rohit Sharma. He is someone I idolized growing up. I will always be grateful to him. I really enjoyed my time with MI, the two years I was there.”
The leadership of Shreyas Iyer
Now part of the Punjab Kings set-up, Vadhira highlighted that skipper Shreyas Iyer has been sidelined. “He has a certain aura. He encourages players to play freely regardless of the outcome. It gives a lot of confidence.”
Shreyas Iyer and Nihal Vadhira (ANI Photo)
Such freedom allows players to fully express themselves and take their home form to the IPL stage without fear, he added. Vadhira’s own IPL journey reflects steady growth. He made his debut in 2023, scoring two fifties in his first season. Although opportunities were limited in 2024, he still made an impression in his comeback match with 49 off 24. After being released before the 2025 mega auction, Punjab Kings attracted interest from several franchises before acquiring him for INR 4.20 crore. He justified the investment by scoring 369 runs at a strike rate of over 145 in 16 matches, playing a key role in taking the team to the finals.
Nihal Vidhera
Looking ahead, Vadhira is firmly focused on collective success rather than personal milestones, especially after Punjab Kings suffered a painful relegation last season. “There are personal goals, but I will talk about them when they are achieved. The only goal for now is to win trophies.” After missing out on the title by the slimmest of margins – a six-run loss to Royal Challengers Bangalore in the final – Vadhira is determined to go one better this time around. With a settled core, a clearly defined role and strong management support, Punjab Kings enter IPL 2026 with renewed confidence as they aim to turn last year’s heartthrob into silverware.
