As Indian cricket reflects on a remarkable 2025 full of transition, experimentation and explosive performances, the former off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin made a decision about two football players who defined the year in the national team. Speaking of him YouTube on the channel, Ashwin highlighted the explosive switch as India’s star batsman and spinner of the highest quality, highlighting how both players have transformed India’s white-ball identity heading into the crucial World Cup era.
Ravichandran Ashwin calls the young opener a rare X-factor star
Ashwin reserved special praise Abhishek SharmaIt calls 2025 not just a leap year, but the arrival of a rare X-factor player for India. The left-handed opener has enjoyed a phenomenal run in T20Is, scoring 859 runs in 21 matches at an average of 42.95 and a breathtaking strike rate of 193.46. His chart includes figures of one century and five half-centuries, representing both consistency and carnage.
“It’s not just the arrival of Abhishek Sharma; it’s probably the arrival of India’s next generation of X-factor players. If there’s one player I have to mark as the best year for India in 2025, it’s got to be him because he batted so well.” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.
According to Ashwin, what sets Abhishek apart from other batsmen is his redefining of India’s approach in the power play. Instead of just providing a quick start, the youngster imposed himself from the very first ball, forcing the bowling sides into defensive modes early in the innings. Ashwin described the change as a re-imagining of India’s powerplay batting template that the team had been looking for in recent years.
Although firmly established in T20Is, Ashwin has expressed his desire to see the opener tested in ODIs, believing his fearless batting can translate well to the 50-over format. Ashwin went a step further with a bold statement underlining the extent of his influence in 2025 by naming Abhishek as India’s men’s cricketer of the year.
“He has reimagined India’s power play and he has been exceptional. I would like to see him in the ODI format as well. I think his red ball credentials will be built upon. I believe he will probably be the men’s team player of the year,” added the Chennai native.
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Ashwin tags sensational as the big MVP for India
As Abhishek lit up stadiums with the bat, Ashwin identified Varun Chakraborty As India’s outstanding bowler of the year. Calling him the “big MVP”, Ashwin highlighted how Chakravarthy has consistently performed when the team has called on him, often breaking partnerships and stifling scoring rates in the middle innings.
Ashwin pointed out that Varu’s greatest strength lies in his unpredictability. Despite the increased familiarity with the mystery spin in T20 cricket, batsmen have continued to struggle against it and find it difficult to read its variations. Ashwin believes this ability will be central to India’s ambitions ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
“I will pick Varun Chakraborty as India’s player of the year. He was the big MVP. He was the X-factor when the team used him. People had a hard time picking him. His wealth will be crucial for India’s chances in the T20 World Cup 2026 as well. Secondly, he is a T20 player,” Ashwin explained.
Apart from the numbers, Ashwin dwelt on Chakravarthy’s remarkable journey of reinvention. After being dropped from the national setup, the spinner returned to the grind, 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 revival, once again showcasing his skills to scouts and selectors.
“He was on the sidelines, then he reinvented himself and came back and now he is at the top of the T20I rankings. He started doing mystery bowling, bowled in the fifth division in Chennai, then asked for a chance in net bowling, came back and bowled well and showed all the scouts how he bowled in the TNPL.” Ashwin added.
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