Can Golf Sharpen Abhishek Sharma’s Cricket Skills? Yuvraj Singh Sees Signs of a Future Leader
Golf and cricket may appear to have little in common. One asks players to strike a stationary ball across carefully maintained fairways; the other demands that a batter react in a fraction of a second to a ball travelling at speed. Yet the sports share several important skills, including hand-eye coordination, balance, concentration and the ability to repeat a controlled swing under pressure.
For India batter Abhishek Sharma, golf has become more than a casual pastime. The left-hander has developed a keen interest in the game, often spending time on the course with former India all-rounder and mentor Yuvraj Singh. Their shared enthusiasm has prompted a wider question among cricket followers: could golf be helping Abhishek refine the power and timing that have made him such an exciting white-ball player?
How golf could complement a cricketer’s batting
The comparison should not be taken too literally. A golf swing is planned around a stationary ball, while a cricket batter must read the bowler’s release, judge pace and movement, and adjust quickly. Still, the mechanics of a strong swing involve elements that can translate across sports: a stable head position, coordination between the hands and body, balance through impact and the ability to generate power without losing control.
Abhishek’s batting is built around a confident, expansive swing. At his best, he combines clean timing with exceptional bat speed, sending the ball high and deep while maintaining the freedom to score quickly. Golf may offer another setting in which to practise rhythm and body control, although it cannot replace the specific skills developed through facing bowlers in the nets and matches.
Former India wicketkeeper Kiran More, who also plays golf, believes the sport can support a batter’s technique and mental approach. He has pointed to the extension of the top hand—Abhishek’s left hand—as one possible connection with the full, flowing swing seen in his stroke play. More also highlights golf’s demand for concentration and adjustment: a poor shot does not end a round, and players must assess what went wrong before moving on.
That capacity to reset may be useful in cricket, where a batter has little time to dwell on a missed opportunity or a mistimed shot. Golf’s slower pace can also provide a change of environment, helping players unwind from the constant demands of professional cricket. Yuvraj has said that introducing Abhishek to the game was partly about giving him a way to relax away from the sport.
From Chandigarh fairways to overseas courses
Yuvraj is said to have introduced his protégé to golf during the Covid pandemic. Since then, the pair have been spotted playing in and around Chandigarh and New Delhi, as well as visiting courses while travelling abroad. Their golf outings have included stops in Sardinia, Italy, and Marrakech, Morocco.
Abhishek’s interest has reportedly continued during the Indian Premier League season, when busy schedules and travel can make rest and recreation difficult to find. He has joined teammates for rounds at courses near Hyderabad and other IPL destinations. For overseas players in particular, golf is a familiar way to spend downtime between training sessions and matches.
There is no simple formula proving that golf produces better batters. Cricket-specific practice remains essential, and a stationary-ball swing cannot prepare a player for every challenge posed by international bowling. But the sport may provide a useful complement—an opportunity to work on balance, patience and repeatable movement while stepping away from the pressure of the cricket field.
Yuvraj backs Abhishek for ODI cricket
Yuvraj’s comments about his former pupil extend beyond golf. He has also made a strong case for Abhishek to receive an opportunity in India’s one-day international set-up, arguing that the left-hander’s sustained white-ball performances deserve serious consideration.
Selection remains complicated. India have a deep pool of established batters, and competition for places is intense, particularly with major tournaments on the horizon. A player’s value in the 50-over format also depends on more than explosive scoring: teams assess adaptability, consistency, fielding and the ability to contribute with the ball where possible.
Yuvraj acknowledged that Abhishek still has areas to develop, including potentially adding more through bowling and fielding. But, he argued, a player also needs an opportunity to demonstrate those qualities at the appropriate level. That is the heart of the selection debate: should a team wait for a prospect to become a complete package, or give a strong white-ball performer a chance to grow in the format?
For supporters searching for an informed cricket prediction about Abhishek’s next step, there is no certainty over when an ODI call-up might arrive. The case for him rests on his form, attacking range and ability to put pressure on opposition bowlers. The counterargument is that India’s crowded batting options make every selection decision a balancing act. Any forecast should therefore be treated cautiously until selectors make their intentions clear.
A leadership role built on encouragement
Yuvraj has also been asked whether Abhishek could eventually lead a team. He stopped short of predicting that captaincy is inevitable, but said he sees qualities associated with leadership—particularly the way Abhishek supports younger players.
One example is his relationship with teenage batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. The pair’s partnership in a recent T20 international against New Zealand in Wellington offered a glimpse of their on-field chemistry. They added 133 runs for the first wicket in just 7.1 overs, with Abhishek scoring a remarkable century and Sooryavanshi contributing a rapid 45 from 19 deliveries. Rather than appearing unsettled by his partner’s aggression, Abhishek encouraged him as the innings gathered pace.
That support has also been visible in the IPL. After Sooryavanshi fell for 97 from 29 balls in an Eliminator, Abhishek was reportedly among the first to console him—even though Sooryavanshi’s innings had come against Abhishek’s own franchise. For Yuvraj, that response matters. A leader is not defined only by a title; the ability to back teammates, especially younger ones, can be just as revealing.
Yuvraj believes captaining an IPL side could provide valuable preparation if Abhishek is ever considered for a larger leadership role. But he has also stressed that a captaincy appointment is not necessary for Abhishek to build a major career. His potential as a white-ball batter, Yuvraj suggested, stands independently of whether he eventually leads India.
What comes next for Abhishek Sharma?
Abhishek’s immediate challenge is to keep converting promise into consistent performances while expanding his game across formats. Golf may help him relax and reinforce certain habits, but his progress will ultimately be measured by what he produces against the moving ball, under match pressure and against increasingly detailed bowling plans.
For now, the fairways offer a revealing glimpse of a young cricketer balancing ambition with recreation. His powerful swing, willingness to encourage emerging talent and growing experience have all added to the discussion around his future. Whether that leads to an ODI debut or a leadership role remains uncertain. What is clear is that Abhishek is developing in several dimensions—and Yuvraj believes Indian cricket should give his white-ball credentials serious consideration.
