R Ashwin in awe of Abhishek Sharma’s MS Dhoni-style ‘Helicopter' cover drive

R Ashwin left in awe with Abhishek Sharma. (AP Photo)

Former cricketers Ravichandran Ashwin and Kevin Pietersen are in awe of Abhishek Sharma's spectacular knock against Pakistan. The off-spinner has declared that the young player would become "the best white-ball batter in limited-overs cricket for India."

The 25-year-old gave India a six-wicket victory in the Asia Cup Super 4s match on Sunday with a brilliant 39-ball 74 that combined elegance and power.

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"I want to tell you that this is not the arrival of Abhishek Sharma, this is just the beginning. He has just started, and he has a long future ahead. He is going to blow the cricketing world apart," Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.

He backed the left-hander to carry on the legacy of his mentor, Yuvraj Singh.

"Take that in writing. He has so much ability, just like how Yuvraj Singh became India's marquee white-ball cricketer. The best white-ball batter in limited-overs cricket for India. He can reach that level easily. I think he is going to carry Yuvraj's legacy forward. He is a phenomenal talent."

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Abhishek’s innings featured six fours and five sixes, but what struck Ashwin most was the finesse in his strokes. In the eighth over, Abhishek shuffled across, cleared his front leg, and whipped Saim Ayub through extra cover for a dazzling boundary — a stroke reminiscent of MS Dhoni’s trademark helicopter shot.

"Abhishek Sharma hit an inside-out MS Dhoni-style helicopter cover drive. Everybody will talk about the five sixes that he hit, but I want to talk about this cover drive, because there was finesse in this shot.

"Despite only having one bat swing, he can adjust his downswing. If a batter can make the game look that simple, then why would you not want to watch him day in and day out?" Ashwin said.

"Abhishek Sharma’s fifty in pure style  Absolute carnage & fearless aggression against Pakistan! #INDvPAK | Shubman Gill | Shaheen Afridi | Haris Rauf | pic.twitter.com/QkhRiHtMNc

— Harsh Vardhan (@harshvard100710) September 21, 2025

India's triumph was anchored by Abhishek and his childhood friend Shubman Gill's 105-run partnership. With 173 runs from four innings, he is the tournament's top scorer.

Former England captain Pietersen also lavished Abhishek with praise.

Abhishek Sharma is NEXT LEVEL.

He’s the type of player that will fail and look so stupid doing it, BUT, he’ll bring smiles and joy to MILLIONS of people throughout his career as he bangs bowlers all over the world.
His eye is something else!

Keep the AURA, buddy!

— Kevin Pietersen (@KP24) September 22, 2025

"Abhishek Sharma is NEXT LEVEL. He's the type of player that will fail and look so stupid doing it, BUT he'll bring smiles and joy to MILLIONS of people throughout his career as he bangs bowlers all over the world. His eye is something else! Keep the AURA, buddy!" Pietersen posted on X.