Exclusive: ‘Whenever we win for India, it’s a proud feeling’: Abhishek Sharma

Abhishek Sharma spoke exclusively to RevSportz, reflecting on India’s gold-medal triumph defeating Pakistan in the Asian Games 2026 men’s cricket final, saying the team approached the game as “just another match” to stay relaxed under pressure. He discussed his powerplay approach, the team’s strong bowling in the death-overs, and the support from the trainer and physio during a rain-affected Asian Games. He also shared the pride of hearing the national anthem with the Indian flag being raised and said the team would take small steps towards the LA Olympics while focusing on their upcoming matches.

Q: Defending the Asian Games gold medal. Tell us how do you feel?

A: It’s a very good feeling. Whenever we win for India, it’s a proud feeling. Today our team made an excellent effort, so I’m really proud.

Q: Tell us something about your batting today. And what was your mindset and the thought process before the match?

A: Nothing. To be very honest, our plan was to play just another match. Thinking like that helps in pressure situations and you can then play normally. So, I also had the same plan. Plan was that if the ball is in my area in the powerplay, then I will utilise it completely irrespective of which bowler it is from. I felt that if we bat better in the powerplay, then half of the game could be over.

Q: When you had 211 runs on the board, did you feel that you will win easily? Because we have such good bowlers, spinners.

A: No, no. I think they also batted very well in the middle overs. We were not expecting that the partnership would last so long. But obviously, I felt that the wicket was better in the end.

At last, in the death-overs, I feel our spinners and Jassi bhai (Jasprit Bumrah) did a very good job. So, credit goes to them.

Q: How was the experience of Asian Games?

A: It was a lot of fun, sir. I got to travel all over Japan. It was raining a lot earlier. As a player, it is important to keep yourself in the game zone whenever there is a crucial match like this.

I feel, like Harrsha bhai (A.I Harrsha, our trainer, Tulsi sir (Thulasi Ram Yuvaraj), our physio, he did a great job. Because you can’t use the outfield when it is raining 24 hours. I feel, he started our momentum from there. So, it helped us a lot at the Asian Games.

Q: Tell us about the feeling of winning the gold medal and hearing the national anthem playing along with the Indian flag being raised.

A: Whenever we play a match for India, and when the flag is raised, we get the motivation from within. We feel happy when we see each other representing India and doing a good job. We felt the same even today. And if we keep playing like this, we will keep making our county win.

Q: Cricket will be in the LA Olympics. So, what are your thoughts? How do you see it?

A: Sir, it is still a long way. But our next matches will be our focus right now. So, will take small steps towards it.

[Transcribed by Divyasree De]

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