India Abhishek Sharma (ANI Photo) Abhishek Sharma entered the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup as the No. 1 batsman, expected to dominate with his aggressive stroke play after a breakout 2025 season. However, the tournament turned into an early struggle for the 25-year-old, who started with three consecutive ducks and added several more low scores, leading to criticism and questions about his place in the XI.Despite a poor start, Abhishek found his rhythm at the crucial stage. A composed fifty against Zimbabwe in the Super 8s signaled a turnaround before he delivered when it mattered most. He smashed a 21-ball 52 in the final against New Zealand as Sanju Samson put on a 98-run opening stand to set up India’s title win. Entering the tournament as the top batsman, it was a campaign that tested both his methods and temperament before finishing on a high.
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CSK is organizing a fan engagement event in Chepauk ahead of IPL 2026 In an interaction with TOI, his long-time childhood friend and Punjab teammate Nehal Wadhera opened up on Abhishek’s journey, recalling how his talent was evident from a very young age.“Abhishek and I have been playing together since the age of 14. So yes, Abhishek definitely had that striking ability from the start,” said Wadhera.He went on to narrate a memorable under-16 match that highlighted Abhishek’s ability to play under pressure.“I still remember when he captained us in the under-16 tournament. He, me, Shubman, Prabhsimran, Naman Dhir – we were all together and we won the championship that year. There was a game against Gujarat where we chased 410 on the last day. Abhishek and Shubman180 and the other one did it. He was capable.”Wadhera emphasized that the aggressive batter the world sees today is the result of both natural ability and sustained hard work.“The match we’re watching now, we already knew about him. But he definitely worked on it. The way he maximized the power-play opportunities is really commendable. It’s all thanks to Yuvraj Singh and his father who are coaching and mentoring him.”Having watched Abhishek’s rise, Wadhera has also forged his own path in the IPL and is steadily growing as a reliable middle-order batsman.
Learning from Ricky Ponting
Talking about head coach Ricky Ponting’s impact on Punjab Kings, Wadhera recalled his first interaction during the camp in Dharamshala.“That was the first time I met him. He is a very cheerful person, always positive and always keeps people around happy,” Wadhera said.“When I hit boundaries and sixes, he respected me. I even asked him about his mindset while playing international cricket and how he handled fast bowlers during his time.”“The most important thing for a head coach is to maintain a positive environment. I think he’s doing a really good job.”
He plays under Rohit Sharma
Wadhera began his IPL career with Mumbai Indians, making his debut under Rohit Sharma, an experience he still holds dear.
Rohit Sharma with Priyansh Arya and Nehal Wadhera (PTI Photo)
“I was lucky enough to debut under Rohit Sharma. He is someone I idolized growing up. I will always be grateful to him. I also really enjoyed my time with MI, the two years I was there.”
Conducted by Shreyas Iyer
Wadhera, who is now part of the Punjab Kings line-up, highlighted what makes skipper Shreyas Iyer different.“He has a different aura. He encourages players to play freely, regardless of the results. That gives a lot of confidence.”
Shreyas Iyer and Nehal Wadhera (ANI Photo)
He added that such freedom allows players to fully express themselves and take their domestic form to the IPL stage without fear.Wadhera’s own IPL journey reflects steady growth. He made his debut in 2023, scoring two half-centuries in his first season. While opportunities were limited in 2024, he still impressed in his comeback game with a 49-24 loss.After being released ahead of the 2025 Mega auction, he attracted interest from several franchises before Punjab Kings secured him for INR 4.20 crore. He justified this investment by scoring 369 runs in 16 matches at a strike rate of over 145, playing a key role in the team’s run to the finals.
Nehal Wadher
Looking ahead, Wadhera remains firmly focused on collective success rather than personal milestones, especially after Punjab Kings’ agonizing slump last season.“There are personal goals, but I will talk about them when they are achieved. The only goal now is to win the trophy.”After missing out on the title by the narrowest of margins – a six-run defeat to Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the final – Wadhera is determined to go one better this time. With a solid core, clearly defined roles and strong management support, Punjab Kings will go into IPL 2026 with renewed faith as they look to turn last year’s slump into silverware.
