'I was inspired by six sixes' - Abhishek Sharma reminisces Yuvraj Singh's legendary feat in T20 World Cup 2007

Former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh has worked closely with Abhishek Sharma and helped the youngster hone his skills, especially in the batting department. Abhishek has time and again expressed his admiration for the Player of the Tournament in the 2011 ODI World Cup. Upon reaching Durban to play a four-match T20I series against South Africa, the 24-year-old revealed that he tried to find out from which end his mentor hit the iconic six sixes in an over at Kingsmead during the 2007 T20 World Cup.

Stuart Broad conceded six sixes in an over during the inaugural edition of the T20 World Cup as Yuvraj unleashed his fury on the England seamer. The Punjab all-rounder went on to register a mind-boggling 12-ball half-century with the help of three fours and seven sixes, as he ended with a belligerent 16-ball 58 to help the Men in Blue get to 218/4 in their 20 overs. The MS Dhoni-led side went on to win the match by 18 runs.

The sensational feat from Yuvraj in Broad's over inspired cricket enthusiasts around the world, including the immensely talented Abhishek, who shared his feelings candidly.

"I've come here for the first time but when I saw it for the first time on TV and now I'm here so it's a dream come true. I was inspired by Yuvraj Singh's 6-sixes during the T20 World Cup 2007. On my Day 1 here, I was trying to figure out where he hit, from which end. Then we all began discussing, he hit the first two there and the third one was over point and covered all the areas. It's a great memory," said Abhishek in the video posted by BCCI.

Abhishek recalled that he was watching the match with his family at his residence. He went on to say that he hopes to make Yuvraj proud by doing well at the venue against the Proteas.

"I was watching the game with my family at home. When we won that game my entire colony came out and we celebrated the victory. I never thought then that I would get to come here but I just wanted to play. I'm sure he will watch the game too and it will be a dream for me because I got inspired by watching him play here. I will try my best and make him proud," the southpaw added.

How has Abhishek Sharma started his international career?

After having a phenomenal season at the top of the order for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League (IPL), Abhishek made his India debut against Zimbabwe earlier this year. However, he was dimissed for a duck in his first innings. The left-handed batter bounced back commendably in the following game against the African side and scored a blistering century.

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The Amritsar-born has played eight T20Is so far and scored 159 runs at an average of 22.71 and a strike rate of 170.97. He has amassed 15 fours and 10 sixes from the 93 balls he has faced in the shortest format of international cricket.

The first T20I between India and South Africa will be played at Kingsmead, Durban on Friday, November 8. The next three games in the series will be held in Gqeberha, Centurion, and Johannesburg on November 10, 13, and 15, respectively.