Ravichandran Ashwin defends Abhishek Sharma, says ‘He’s not a slogger’

Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has come out strongly in support of young opener Abhishek Sharma, dismissing claims that the left-hander is merely a slogger and insisting that his batting is built on technical excellence rather than reckless hitting.

Speaking during his analysis segment ‘Ash ki Baat’, Ashwin clarified misconceptions surrounding Abhishek’s aggressive style of play.

“I want to clarify one thing,” Ashwin said. “You can say anything you want about Abhishek Sharma’s game, but he’s not a slogger. He is a proper batsman.”

Ashwin, known for his sharp cricketing insights, highlighted what he described as one of the most aesthetically pleasing bat swings in modern cricket. According to him, Abhishek possesses a rare quality that allows him to generate immense power without compromising technique.

“I’ve always praised him in ‘Ash ki Baat’, saying that he has one of the most enviable bat swings in world cricket,” Ashwin explained. “For many players, the bat can get stuck midway and then change its path before coming down to meet the ball. But Abhishek’s bat swing is pure. It goes really high — the toe of the bat faces the sky. You can’t get a better bat swing.”

Ashwin went on to compare the youngster’s technique with that of former Indian great Yuvraj Singh, who has mentored Abhishek in recent years. The veteran spinner even suggested that the young batter’s bat swing might be superior.

“He’s like Yuvraj Singh. We know Yuvraj is his mentor. His bat swing is even better than that,” Ashwin remarked.

Abhishek’s ability to clear boundaries with apparent ease has often led critics to label him as a power-hitter who relies heavily on aggression. However, Ashwin believes that this perception stems from the effortless distance the ball travels when struck cleanly.

“That’s why whenever he strokes the ball, it goes very far,” Ashwin said. “People can get confused and think he’s a big slogger. But that’s not the case.”

While defending Abhishek’s technique, Ashwin did acknowledge one area of concern — the youngster’s eagerness to show intent on every delivery.

“The one thing he has been guilty of is showing intent on every ball,” Ashwin observed. “Intent doesn’t just mean jumping ahead or attacking every delivery. There are many ways to show intent. It can also be about looking for runs smartly.”

Ashwin’s comments come at a time when strike rates and aggressive approaches dominate T20 discussions, often blurring the line between calculated aggression and uncontrolled hitting. By backing Abhishek, the seasoned off-spinner emphasized the importance of understanding the technical foundation behind a player’s attacking game.

With strong mentorship from Yuvraj and public backing from a senior figure like Ashwin, Abhishek Sharma continues to attract attention as one of India’s promising modern batters — a player whose power, according to Ashwin, is rooted not in slogging but in sublime technique.