In a thrilling display during the Asia Cup 2025 Super Four match in Dubai, young Indian batter Abhishek Sharma captivated audiences and a seasoned pro alike with his explosive 39-ball 74 against Pakistan. But it wasn’t just the runs that impressed former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin; it was a specific, masterful shot. During the eighth over, facing Saim Ayub, Sharma executed a unique inside-out cover drive that immediately drew comparisons to legendary figures like MS Dhoni and his mentor, Yuvraj Singh.
Speaking passionately on his YouTube channel, Ashwin couldn’t stop praising Sharma: “Abhishek Sharma unleashed an inside-out cover drive, reminiscent of MS Dhoni’s iconic helicopter shot. While many will highlight his five sixes, it’s this particular cover drive that stood out to me because of its sheer finesse. Despite having only one primary bat swing, he possesses an incredible ability to adjust his downswing. When a batsman makes batting look so effortless with such precision, you can’t help but want to watch them play every single day.”
This explosive performance, where Sharma forged a crucial 105-run opening partnership with Shubman Gill, was instrumental in India’s successful chase of 172 runs. Ashwin was quick to prophesy a brilliant future for the young talent, stating, “I want to tell you that this is not just Abhishek Sharma’s arrival; it’s merely the beginning. He has an incredibly long and promising career ahead. He is destined to electrify the cricketing world – mark my words. His immense natural ability, much like how Yuvraj Singh rose to become India’s premier white-ball cricketer, suggests he can effortlessly reach that same elite level. I genuinely believe he will carry forward Yuvraj’s remarkable legacy; he is an absolutely phenomenal talent.”
Having already amassed 173 runs at an astounding strike rate of 208.43 so far, Abhishek has clearly emerged as India’s top performer in the ongoing tournament. His next appearance will be on Wednesday, facing Bangladesh.
