Ravichandran Ashwin Defends Abhishek Sharma Against Criticism Ahead of T20 World Cup
Ashwin Responds to Amir's Critique of Sharma
Former Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin has come to the defense of Abhishek Sharma, who was labeled a 'slogger' by Mohammad Amir, a former Pakistani fast bowler. This remark came just before India's first match in the T20 World Cup 2026 against the USA, where Amir questioned Sharma's batting technique, suggesting he lacks a solid defensive game.
Sharma's Recent Performance and Health Issues
Known for his explosive batting during powerplays, Abhishek Sharma faced challenges recently, recording three consecutive ducks in matches against the USA, Pakistan, and the Netherlands. His performance was affected by a stomach infection that sidelined him from the game against Namibia, raising fitness concerns as the T20 World Cup progresses.
A Comeback in the Super 8 Match
In a Super 8 match against South Africa, Sharma managed only 15 runs off 12 balls, which intensified worries about his form. However, he rebounded impressively with a score of 55 runs off 30 balls, hitting four fours and four sixes, achieving a remarkable strike rate of 183.33 in India's significant 72-run victory over Zimbabwe in Chennai.
Ashwin Praises Sharma's Batting Technique
Following the win against Zimbabwe, Ashwin highlighted Sharma's batting skills, asserting that despite some viewing him as merely a slogger, he possesses one of the finest bat swings in cricket today, arguably surpassing that of his mentor, Yuvraj Singh. Ashwin emphasized that Sharma approaches each ball with clear intent.
"There’s a video circulating where Amir calls Sharma a slogger. I want to clarify that while opinions may vary, he is not just a slogger. His bat swing is enviable, and he has the potential to hit the ball far," Ashwin stated during a discussion with cricket journalist Bharat Sundaresan on his YouTube channel, 'Ash Ki Baat.'
Advice for Improvement
Ashwin further advised that Sharma should focus on timing rather than power in his shots. He suggested that coaching staff should emphasize the importance of timing the ball correctly, rather than relying solely on strength.
"Abhishek doesn’t need to force power into his shots. If anyone is advising him, they should stress the significance of timing the ball properly," Ashwin remarked.
Sharma's T20 World Cup Stats
With his recent performance, Abhishek Sharma has accumulated a total of 70 runs in the tournament, averaging 14.00 with a strike rate of 140.00. While it seems unlikely he will be among the top run-scorers of the T20 World Cup, he aims to maintain this momentum into the upcoming Super 8 match and potentially the semifinals if India advances.
In his T20I career, Sharma has scored 1,367 runs, including two centuries and nine fifties, with an average of 34.17 and a strike rate of 190.92 across 43 matches.