In the wake of intense social media backlash, Mohammad Aamir remains steadfast in his evaluation of rising Indian star Abhishek Sharma. The ex-Pakistan pacer labeled the opener a mere ‘slugger’ during a TV appearance, sparking outrage among fans who hailed the youngster’s explosive T20 exploits.
‘That’s my view – he’s a slugger. Without the ability to read the line or defend solidly, is he a full-fledged batsman? He goes after every ball with power swings, and it’s paying off now. But mastering defense against probing lines will change everything,’ Aamir remarked unapologetically.
He emphasized the limitations of Abhishek’s current success. ‘Flat tracks and short boundaries aren’t the ultimate challenge. Send him to swinging conditions in South Africa, New Zealand, or England. Surviving there against seam movement – that’s when we’ll know. Success in those realms, and I’ll acknowledge him as a proper batter first.’
Aamir balanced his critique by praising Indian cricket royalty. ‘No bias here. Virat Kohli remains the best of our era for me. But Abhishek? Still a slugger.’
Sluggers thrive on strength, muscling the ball rather than employing textbook shots.
Abhishek’s T20 record speaks volumes: 1,297 runs in 38 innings from 39 matches, featuring 2 tons and 8 fifties, topped by a 135. His strike rate of 194.45 marks him as a white-ball terror. A recent stomach bug forced him out of the Namibia T20 World Cup game.
As speculation swirls about his availability against Pakistan, Aamir’s comments add fuel to the India-Pak rivalry. Can Abhishek silence his detractors on the global stage? The cricket world watches closely.