Former Indian all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin has showered praise on Abhishek Sharma after India registered a comprehensive eight-wicket win against New Zealand at Guwahati on Sunday. Sharma scored a blistering knock of 68 runs off just 20 balls to help India chase down 154 runs in 10 overs.

The left-hander smashed seven fours and five sixes in his whirlwind knock. The youngster completed his fifty off just 14 balls, the second fastest T20I half-century for India after his mentor Yuvraj Singh, who scored a 12-ball fifty against England in the 2007 T20 World Cup.

Ravichandran Ashwin said on his YouTube Channel, “Abhishek Sharma is batting at an incredible level in the powerplay, making 50 in just 14 balls. The way he is batting, even if wickets are falling, he is hitting long sixes. Yesterday in Guwahati, he smashed a straight six, and after hitting it, he was looking at his bat. I mean, he was looking straight at the bottom of the bat.”

“That shows the ball hit the bottom of the bat, but it still went for a six. The bat swing, the way he is batting, it is just amazing. I mean, this guy is God’s own child. I am telling you, what compliment can I even give him? The way he is batting is unbelievable,” he added.

Ashwin backed Abhishek Sharma to break Yuvraj Singh’s record of fastest fifty in T20Is.

“Our friend Abhishek Sharma made a statement. He said it will be very difficult to beat Yuvraj Paji, 50 off 12 balls. I am saying, Abhishek, please do not be so humble. I am asking you, please, in India people like it when you speak humbly, I agree. But do not be that humble. I am telling you, Abhishek will not say it himself, but Yuvraj Paji’s 50 off 12 balls, whoever beats that in the near future, it will be Abhishek Sharma, I am telling you.”

Earlier in the series opener against the Kiwis, Sharma scored a blistering knock of 84 runs off just 35 balls.

The fourth T20I between India and New Zealand will be played at Visakhapatnam on Wednesday.