Any sport’s health depends on a healthy supply system. The next generation must be carefully fostered, mentored, supported, given opportunities, and monitored so that there is always a pool of talent from which to choose when the senior team requires new blood. In terms of Indian cricket, this is something that is embedded in the system at almost all levels. Managers understand the importance of spotting, monitoring, and encouraging next-generation talent. It’s no wonder, therefore, that Indian cricketers vying for a spot in the senior squad are turning in consistent performances at whichever level of the game they’re currently playing.
Dhull, Yash (19-year-old right-hand batter)
If guiding the Indian side to the ICC u-19 World Cup championship was a stepping stone to quick recognition, Yash Dhull’s century in both innings of his first-class debut proved to the world that the 19-year-old has the potential to be a highly efficient player in red ball long format cricket as well. After Nari Contractor (1952/53) and Virag Awate (2012/13) in their Ranji Trophy debuts, the Delhi boy became only the third batsman to register a century in each innings. In the Ranji Trophy Elite, Group H match between Delhi and Tamil Nadu in Guwahati, he scored 113 and 113* in both innings.
Shah Rukh Khan (26-year-old right-hand batter)
After Shikhar Dhawan, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shreyas Iyer, and Navdeep Saini tested positive for COVID-19, the 26-year-old was added to the Indian squad for the opening ODI against the West Indies. Although Shah Rukh’s international debut was postponed, the dasher from Tamil Nadu appears to be on the rise. At the latest IPL Auction, he was purchased by Punjab Kings for a hefty Rs 9 crore. The Kings evidently regard him as a long-term prospect worth investing in. Last year, he was bought for Rs 5.25 crore by the same side and scored 153 runs in 11 matches, with the best score of 47 and a strike rate of 134.21, while also taking four catches.
Rishabh Pant
It’s challenging to step into the shoes of a legend such as Mahendra Singh Dhoni. After a few setbacks and hiccups, Rishabh Pant has reclaimed Dhoni’s spot in the Indian team, across all formats and circumstances. But, if Pant is hurt, who would wear the wicket-keeping gloves in Test matches? India has KL Rahul and Ishan Kishan, to be sure. They are, however, batters who can keep wickets rather than the specialized wicket-keepers required in Test cricket. Kishan, on the other hand, has yet to demonstrate his Test credentials. With Wriddhiman Saha turning 30 and being ousted from the Indian Test team, the team administration and selectors appear to be focusing on Kona Srikar Bharat, a 28-year-old Andhra Pradesh native.
Sakibul Gani ( (22-year-old right-hand batter & right-arm medium fast bowler)
Sakibul Gani, who plays for Bihar, made headlines lately when he hammered an incredible 341 against Mizoram in the Ranji Trophy Plate Group match on Friday, breaking the Guinness record for the highest individual score on first-class debut. Sakibul, who hails from the small Bihar village of Motihari, slammed 341 off 405 balls, including 56 fours and two sixes, to shatter the mark set by Madhya Pradesh’s Ajay Rohera, who scored an unbeaten 267 against Hyderabad in 2018.
Raj Angad Bawa (19-year-old all-rounder who bats left-handed and bowls right-arm medium quick) comes from a sporting background. His grandfather, Tarlochan Singh Bawa, was a member of India’s 1948 Olympic gold-medal-winning squad, and his father, Sukhwinder Singh Bawa, was Yuvraj Singh’s childhood coach Raj was a key component in India’s successful Under-19 World Cup campaign. Bawa, a right-arm medium pacer and a hard-hitting left-handed batsman, led India to the Under-19 World Cup victory with a five-wicket haul (5-31) against England in the final. In the final, he was named Man of the Match. Raj took 9 wickets and scored 252 runs in the competition, with a top score of 162*.
