Former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has strongly disagreed with Mohammad Amir’s assessment of Abhishek Sharma, rejecting the Pakistan pacer’s claim that the young opener is “just a slogger.”
During the group stage of the T20 World Cup 2026, Amir had remarked that Abhishek lacked a defensive game and relied solely on aggressive hitting. The comment triggered backlash on social media, with many Indian fans criticising the statement.
Abhishek struggled early in the tournament, registering three ducks in the group stage and managing only 15 runs against South Africa in the Super 8s. However, the 25-year-old bounced back in style against Zimbabwe, smashing 55 off 30 balls, including four fours and four sixes.
Speaking on his YouTube channel Ash Ki Baat, Ashwin said that while Abhishek may appear ultra-aggressive, labeling him a slogger is incorrect. “You can say anything about his game, but he is not a slogger. He has one of the most enviable bat swings in today’s game,” Ashwin said. He even suggested that Abhishek’s bat swing could be better than that of his mentor Yuvraj Singh.
Ashwin added that Abhishek’s ability to strike the ball cleanly often creates the impression of reckless hitting. “Whenever he connects, the ball travels a long way. The only thing he has been guilty of is showing intent on every delivery,” he explained.
‘Focus on Timing, Not Power’
Ashwin advised that Abhishek should concentrate more on timing rather than trying to power every shot. According to the veteran spinner, proper timing alone is enough for a player with Abhishek’s natural bat speed.
During the tournament, Abhishek also battled a stomach infection that forced him to miss the match against Namibia and required hospitalisation, leading to noticeable weight loss.
Meanwhile, India registered a dominant 72-run win over Zimbabwe. With that result, their upcoming clash against the West Indies has effectively become a knockout fixture, with the winner advancing to the semi-finals.
