Abhishek Sharma’s Dhoni-style cover drive and 39-ball 74 vs Pakistan earn praise from R Ashwin, Kevin Pietersen in Asia Cup 2025.
India's teen batting star Abhishek Sharma electrified the Asia Cup 2025 Super 4s match against Pakistan with a marvelous 39-ball 74, leading India to an easy six-wicket victory. His classy-but-devastating innings earned the admiration of cricket greats Ravichandran Ashwin and Kevin Pietersen, who forecast a dazzling future for the 23-year-old.
Addressing his YouTube channel, seasoned off-spinner R Ashwin lavished praise on left-handed opener Abhishek Sharma, declaring this to be only the start of what could be an iconic career.
"I want to say to you that this is not Abhishek Sharma's arrival, this is just the start. He has just begun, and he has a long career ahead. He is going to shatter the cricketing world," Ashwin declared.
Ashwin even went so far as to advise Abhishek to take over the role from his guru Yuvraj Singh.
"Take that on paper. He has so much talent, just the way Yuvraj Singh became India's marquee white-ball cricketer. The greatest white-ball batsman in limited-over cricket for India. He easily has the potential to get to that level. I believe he is going to take Yuvraj's legacy forward."
While Abhishek’s knock was laced with six fours and five sixes, it was one particular stroke that left fans and experts stunned. In the eighth over, the youngster shuffled across, opened his front leg, and whipped Saim Ayub through extra cover with a single-handed flourish – a shot that reminded everyone of MS Dhoni’s signature helicopter shot.
"Everyone will discuss the five sixes he hit, but I wish to discuss this cover drive," Ashwin elaborated. "Even though he has just one bat swing, he can make adjustments to his downswing. If a batsman can make the game look so easy, why wouldn't you wish to view him day in and day out?"
Abhishek's knock was underpinned by a 105-run stand with boyhood friend Shubman Gill, which was the cornerstone of India's successful run chase. With 173 runs off four innings, Abhishek is the current tournament leading run-getter, which confirms his increasing significance in India's white-ball setup.
Former England skipper Kevin Pietersen also praised Abhishek's skill on social media.
"Abhishek Sharma is NEXT LEVEL. He's the kind of player who will get it wrong and look so daft doing it, BUT he'll put smiles and happiness on MILLIONS of people during his career as he smashes bowlers across the globe. His vision is something else! Keep the AURA, mate!" Pietersen shared on X.
