Veteran Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has made a bold prediction, naming explosive young opener Abhishek Sharma as the future batting superstar of Indian cricket. Ashwin expressed his strong desire to see the left-hander graduate to the One-Day International (ODI) format, praising his transformative impact at the top of the order.
Ashwin's Bold Prediction for Indian Cricket
In a detailed analysis on his YouTube show 'Ash ki Baat', Ashwin did not hold back in his admiration for the Punjab batsman. "It's not just the arrival of Abhishek Sharma, but the arrival of India's next generation X-factor player," Ashwin stated emphatically. He went further, suggesting that if one player had been the best for India in 2025, it had to be Abhishek Sharma, crediting him for reimagining the team's powerplay batting with his brutal approach.
The Call for an ODI Debut
Ashwin's endorsement comes with a specific vision for the player's future. "I would love to see him in the ODI format as well," he said, highlighting Sharma's success in the T20I arena where he has consistently made contests one-sided by taking on bowlers during the fielding restrictions. Ashwin even tipped Sharma to potentially be the Men's team player of the year, underscoring the magnitude of his performances.
Mastering the Challenge for Long-Format Success
While celebrating his current prowess, Ashwin also pointed out the next frontier for the young star: Test cricket. He clarified that Sharma's pronounced bat swing and large backlift, reminiscent of legendary West Indian Brian Lara, is more of a "challenge" than a "problem." Ashwin revealed that Sharma has been in talks with Brian Lara himself to learn how to control that downswing, a crucial adjustment for succeeding in the longest format where technical discipline is paramount.
Ashwin illustrated Sharma's evolving game with an example from a recent match against Australia. He described how, despite the bowlers delivering tight, fuller lengths and taking pace off the ball, Sharma charged down the track to a fast bowler. When the bowler attempted a yorker, denying him width, Sharma was still able to open up his arms and smash the ball over covers for a boundary, showcasing his exceptional skill and adaptability.
Ashwin's powerful conclusion left no room for doubt about his belief in the youngster's destiny: "I truly believe, man, that the next batting superstar of India is Abhishek Sharma." This ringing endorsement from one of cricket's sharpest minds places a significant spotlight on the opener's journey as he aims to conquer all formats of the game.
