Before Asia Cup, Abhishek hit fearless strokes in Kashmir league

When Abhishek Sharma walked out to bat in the charged up India–Pakistan clash of the Asia Cup Super-Four last week, few would have predicted the storm he was about to unleash.

The 25-year-old left-hander from Punjab tore into Pakistan’s attack with a blistering 74 off just 39 balls at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, setting the stage for India’s emphatic win. The innings won him accolades from fans, pundits and international cricketing greats alike.

But hundreds of miles away from the glitz of Dubai, in South Kashmir’s Anantnag, many were watching with a sense of familiarity and pride. For them, Sharma’s fearless stroke play was not a new spectacle — it was a memory rekindled from the summer of 2022, when he lit up the second edition of the Bijbehara Premier League at Bijbehara town.

“Seeing him on television last week was an amazing feeling,” recalls Danish Sofi, associated with the Bijbehara Premier League. “When he entered the pitch that day in 2022, he hit the ball very hard. His amazing performance was praised by everyone watching.”

Sharma’s journey to Kashmir came through Nisar Ahmad Khan, a businessman by profession and owner of Khan Sultan Cricket Club. Khan had brought the youngster, who was also playing in IPL, to play for his side in the local league, unaware that he was nurturing a bond that would go far beyond cricket.

“I brought him to Kashmir to play for our team. His performance was impressive. People enjoyed watching his batting and he was liked by locals here,” says Khan. “He is like my own family member now. We were glued to the TV during the India–Pakistan match, celebrating every boundary he hit.”

Khan fondly remembers how Sharma, even at that time, chose to play without any match fee. “He was dedicated to the game, focused on his passion. He didn’t become a star overnight—it’s the result of years of hard work,” he adds.

Local cricketer Muneeb Munaf, who shared the crease with Sharma in Bijbehara, recalls a crucial partnership in one of those matches. “That day, our team had lost early wickets. I and Sharma then built a solid stand. His innings was so dominating that he was declared Man of the Match,” Munaf says.

Sharma scored unbeaten 66 runs playing a crucial role to win the match for Khan Sultan.

Off the field, Sharma’s humility left a lasting impression. After his Bijbehara performance that day, he was quick to praise the passion for cricket in the Valley and the warmth of its people.

“It is good to see so much support for cricket here,” he had said, while encouraging youngsters to stay committed. “Never let your efforts fall short. Through such tournaments, one can learn from every player. Keep practicing.”

Those words now resonate more than ever for the young aspirants of Kashmir as they watch a player they once shared their home ground with conquer one of cricket’s fiercest rivalries.

For Bijbehara cricket fans, Sharma’s Asia Cup heroics are not just a victory for India—they are a reminder that their small-town league once hosted a player destined for greatness. “He was talented and then, all the top cricketers watching him said in one voice: Abhishek would become very successful one day because he was dedicated,” said Mohammad Shafi, who coached Khan Sultan team in 2022.