Abhishek Sharma is known for making a lot of noise with the bat. His celebration after his latest record, however, was anything but loud.After smashing the fastest T20I century by an Indian batter, Abhishek took off his helmet and gloves, put his bat down and sat cross-legged on the field. With his eyes closed, he appeared to slip into a moment of meditation.The contrast was striking. Moments earlier, the young India opener had been taking on Afghanistan’s bowlers. Now, he was sitting calmly in a Padmasana-like pose, with the ‘Om Namah Shivay’ chant associated with the celebration quickly catching the attention of fans online.For a player whose batting is often described as fearless and aggressive, the moment offered a glimpse of a much quieter side of Abhishek.
Abhishek Sharma and his love for meditation
The celebration wasn’t simply a pose picked for the cameras.Abhishek has spoken publicly about making meditation part of his daily life. After the match, he said he had been meditating regularly for around six months to a year and credited the practice with helping him deal with the ups and downs of professional cricket.He also explained that he wanted his celebration to encourage other cricketers to consider meditation and experience its benefits.That detail makes the image of Abhishek sitting quietly on the pitch all the more interesting. Behind the explosive batting is a routine that is built around finding some stillness.And for someone playing international cricket at such a young age, that balance appears to matter to him.
A disciplined routine from a young age
Abhishek’s father, Raj Kumar Sharma, has previously spoken about the youngster’s highly disciplined routine.According to him, Abhishek’s day could begin as early as 4am, followed by meditation, yoga, swimming, gym sessions and cricket training.It is a routine that paints a very different picture from the flamboyant batter fans see during a T20 match.The idea seems to be simple: work hard, stay disciplined and keep the mind settled.That mindset has also become part of the way Abhishek approaches his cricket. His ability to attack from the beginning has made him one of India’s most exciting young white-ball players, but the meditation routine suggests there is considerable preparation behind that seemingly instinctive aggression.
Why the ‘Om Namah Shivay’ moment stood out
Abhishek’s latest celebration has also brought his spiritual side into the spotlight.The phrase ‘Om Namah Shivay’ is a widely known Hindu mantra associated with Lord Shiva. The meditation posture after his century was interpreted by many fans as a Shiva-inspired moment, particularly because Abhishek is known to have an interest in spirituality and meditation.
अभिषेक शर्मा ने 30 गेंदों पर शतक ठोका
But the cricketer himself has spoken more specifically about meditation and its role in his life, rather than presenting his on-field celebration as a detailed religious statement.That distinction matters.The viral moment may have lasted only a few seconds, but it connected two sides of Abhishek that don’t always appear together: the batter who plays with remarkable aggression and the young man who chooses meditation to find calm.
From a record-breaking century to silence
The cricket record will naturally remain the headline from the night.Abhishek reached his T20I hundred in 30 balls, breaking Rohit Sharma’s previous Indian record of 35 balls. He finished with 108 from 34 deliveries, including 11 sixes and nine fours.But it was the few seconds after the innings that arguably told fans something they didn’t see in the scorecard.No big celebration. No theatrics.Just Abhishek sitting quietly on the field.For a cricketer who spends much of his time creating chaos for bowlers, perhaps that little moment of silence said just as much about him as the century itself.