Former South Africa cricketer AB de Villiers has advised India’s Abhishek Sharma to step up and handle pressure better as he transitions to a more critical phase in his career. Abhishek, who faced inconsistency in the recent T20 World Cup, has been appointed vice-captain of Sunrisers Hyderabad for the upcoming IPL season starting on March 28.
De Villiers emphasized the need for Abhishek to showcase maturity and consistency, highlighting the mounting expectations on the young player. He stressed the importance of mental strength for success in the IPL 2026 season, following Abhishek’s impressive performance in the previous IPL.
The cricket veteran underlined the significance of Abhishek’s ability to read game situations intelligently and adapt to challenging bowlers. De Villiers encouraged Abhishek to trust his game plan, be patient, and make strategic decisions to enhance his performance and maintain consistency throughout the season.
Abhishek is set to open the innings alongside Australian cricketer Travis Head for Sunrisers Hyderabad in their first match against Royal Challengers Bangalore on March 28 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
