Former India captain Sourav Ganguly has dismissed growing comparisons between Abhishek Sharma and Virender Sehwag, saying the former opener’s stature in Test cricket remains unmatched.
With Abhishek’s fearless stroke play earning praise across formats, many have begun to draw parallels with Sehwag — the man who revolutionised Test batting with his aggressive, no-fear approach. But Ganguly, who captained Sehwag during India’s early 2000s resurgence, was quick to shut down the notion.
Sehwag was a different class. No one can be compared to Sehwag. You Can’t Compare Abhishek With Sehwag Straight Away.
Ganguly acknowledged Abhishek’s immense promise and his refreshing fearlessness, but maintained that the young left-hander still has a long way to go before being spoken of in the same breath as Sehwag.
Abhishek is a fearless cricketer and there is no doubt about his potential, but you can’t compare him with Sehwag straight away.
The former skipper’s assessment underscores the weight of Sehwag’s achievements — two Test triple centuries, a strike rate that defied convention, and an unrelenting appetite for domination even in the game’s longest format.
“Cricket Has Changed, But The Basics Remain The Same”
Reflecting on the evolution of batting, Ganguly noted how today’s players are geared for instant aggression, a stark contrast to his own generation’s method of building an innings.
Cricket has changed so much. We took our time to get set before playing our shots. Nowadays, batters are ready from the very first delivery of the match to smash the ball.
Yet, Ganguly was quick to remind that while the game’s tempo may have accelerated, the art of constructing an innings remains the same — a balance between calculated aggression and strike rotation.
A Reminder For Abhishek: Mastering The Red-Ball Craft
For all his promise in white-ball cricket, Ganguly hinted that Abhishek Sharma’s next challenge lies in red-ball consistency — a true measure of greatness.
His words serve as a timely reminder: in a cricketing world obsessed with power-hitting, temperament and adaptability remain the traits that define Test legends.
The game may have grown faster and flashier, but the fundamentals — patience, shot selection, and the ability to rotate strike — still separate the good from the great.
