 "Ashwin has backed the youngster to make his ODI debut for India. Image: Reuters")
Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has backed young opener Abhishek Sharma to make his ODI debut soon, calling him a “next generation X-factor player” for Indian cricket.
Speaking on his YouTube channel Ash Ki Baat, Ashwin praised Abhishek’s fearless batting approach and said the left-hander has completely changed the way India bat in the powerplay. According to Ashwin, no other Indian cricketer has made a bigger impact for the national team in 2025.
Ashwin said that Abhishek’s arrival is not just about one player doing well, but a sign of the next generation taking charge. He added that Abhishek has redefined powerplay batting for India and has been exceptional throughout the year. Ashwin also expressed his wish to see the young batter given a chance in the ODI format, saying he could even end up as India’s Men’s Player of the Year.
“It’s not just the arrival of Abhishek Sharma, but the arrival of India’s next generation X-factor player. If there is one player who has been the best for India in 2025, it has to be him. He has batted really well. He has reimagined India’s powerplay batting and has been exceptional. I would love to see him in the ODI format as well. I think he will probably be the Men’s team player of the year,” he said.
Abhishek’s stellar 2025 season
Abhishek Sharma has been one of India’s biggest match-winners in T20Is this year. Opening the innings, he has regularly put bowlers under pressure from the very start, often deciding matches within the first few overs. The statistics strongly support Ashwin’s praise. In 2025, Abhishek scored 859 runs in 21 T20I matches at an average of 42.95 and an outstanding strike rate of 193.46. He also played an important role in India’s triumph at the 2025 Asia Cup T20 in September.
Abhishek is now set to return to action in January when India take on New Zealand in a five-match T20I series. The series will be crucial for India’s preparations ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026.