As Indian cricket reflects on a historic 2025 full of change, experimentation and explosive performances, the former off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has given its verdict on the two players who defined the year for the national team. speaking on that youtube Channel, Ashwin highlighted the explosive opener as India’s breakout batting star and the top-quality spinner as the most influential bowler, underscoring how both players have reshaped India’s white-ball identity in a crucial World Cup cycle.
Ravichandran Ashwin calls the young opener a rare X-factor star
Ashwin gave special praise Abhishek SharmaCalling 2025 not only a successful year but also the arrival of a rare X-factor player for India. The left-handed opening batsman performed brilliantly in the T20Is and scored 859 runs in 21 matches at an average of 42.95 and a whopping strike rate of 193.46. His tally included one century and five half-centuries, showing both consistency and carnage.
“It’s not just the arrival of Abhishek Sharma; it’s probably the arrival of India’s next generation X-factor player. If I have to name one player who has had the best year for India in 2025, it would be him because he has batted so well.” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.
According to Ashwin, what sets Abhishek apart from other attacking batsmen is the way he has redefined India’s approach in the powerplay. Instead of just providing a quick start, the youngster has imposed himself from the very first ball, forcing the bowling side to get into defensive mode at the start of the innings. Ashwin described the change as a reimagining of India’s powerplay batting template, which the team had been exploring in recent years.
Having established himself firmly in T20Is, Ashwin expressed his desire to see the opener tested in ODIs, believing his fearless strokeplay can translate well to the 50-over format. Ashwin went a step further and named Abhishek as the frontrunner to be named India’s Male Cricketer of the Year, a bold statement that underlines the scale of his impact in 2025.
“He has re-imagined India’s powerplay batting and has been exceptional. I would love to see him in the ODI format as well. I think his red-ball credentials will be worked on. I believe he will probably be the men’s team player of the year.” The Chennai-born added.
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Ashwin hails the spin sensation as a big MVP for India
While Abhishek created a stir in the stadium with the bat, Ashwin made his mark Varun Chakraborty As India’s best bowler of the year. Terming him a “huge MVP”, Ashwin highlighted that Chakraborty has consistently performed well whenever the team turned to him, often breaking partnerships in the middle overs and keeping the scoring rate down.
Ashwin told that Varun’s biggest strength is his unpredictability. Despite the increasing popularity of mystery spin in T20 cricket, batsmen have continued to struggle against it, finding it difficult to understand its variations. Ashwin believes this ability will be at the center of India’s ambitions ICC Men’s T20 World Cup,
“I would pick Varun Chakravarthy as India’s bowler of the year. He was a huge MVP. Whenever the team used him, he showed the Ashwin explained.
Beyond the numbers, Ashwin focused on Chakravarthy’s remarkable journey of reinvention. After being sidelined from the national setup, the spinner got back to work, bowling in the lower divisions in Chennai and looking for opportunities as a net bowler. His performances in the Tamil Nadu Premier League played a key role in his resurgence, once again showcasing his skills in front of scouts and selectors.
“He was out of the team, then he reestablished himself and came back, and now he is at the top of the T20I rankings. He started with mystery bowling, bowled in the fifth division in Chennai, then sought a chance in the nets, came back and bowled well and showed all the scouts how he bowled in the TNPL (Tamil Nadu Premier League). It has been a memorable journey.” Ashwin said further.
Also read: Varun Chakravarthy details mental blueprint ahead of T20 World Cup 2026