‘Go to bed at 9 PM, wake up at 5 AM, and play a thousand balls’ – Yograj Singh’s strict advise to Abhishek Sharma for strong comeback ahead of IPL 2026

Former India cricketer Yograj Singh has launched a scathing attack on young opener Abhishek Sharma despite India’s triumphant campaign in the T20 World Cup 2026. The southpaw endured a mixed debut tournament, registering three consecutive ducks early on before showing glimpses of his potential with a Super 8 half-century and a blistering knock in the final against New Zealand.

However, Yograj was far from impressed with the overall consistency. Speaking candidly, Yograj questioned the youngster’s focus and approach to the game.

“You fail because your mind is somewhere else. What is happening to Shubman Gill, Abhishek? The failure comes only when your mind is diverted somewhere else. That is what is happening with Abhishek. The guy walks around doing reels, that isn’t his job. He should bloody well go to bed at 9 PM, wake up at 5 AM, and play a thousand balls,” Yograj said on InsideSport.

The former cricketer didn’t hold back further, criticising current younger players’ discipline and off-field distractions. The ex-India pacer, who enjoyed quite a short international career, emphasised that modern-day cricketers often lose focus due to social media and other engagements, which eventually impacts performances on the field.

“It would take him another age to go closer to Yuvraj Singh. The whole universe works on discipline. That’s how cricketers should work. Where are cricketers going wrong? Parties, girls, money, shooting all the time,” he further added.

Yograj further noted that he is very much frustrated with the approach and the mindset with which Abhishek Sharma plays the game and exclaimed that he usually reaches out to the opener.

“I’m very disgusted with him (Sharma). There are times when I drop him messages – don’t take this game for granted. He will always say ‘yes, sir’. There is something called a single, a double, and a boundary. Every time you cannot hit the ball in the air. You cannot keep hitting sixes and entertaining the crowd. You will fail,” Yograj concluded.

The left-hand opener is coming off after India’s victorious T20 World Cup 2026 campaign and will represent the Sunrisers Hyderabad franchise in the upcoming season of the IPL.