India’s gen-next: 5 future stars ready to stake a claim for permanent spot in T20 squad

New Delhi: The wounds would take long to heal but as the dust settles on the 2023 ODI World Cup, India have already shifted their focus on T20Is and kicked off their preparations for the all-important T20 World Cup next year. The World Cup heartbreak is still fresh in the minds of Indian cricket fans, who might struggle to come to terms with the fact that their team couldn’t cross the final hurdle on D-Day despite being the best side throughout the tournament.

However, for the players, it’s essential to move on and focus on the job at hand. There is another World Cup to fight for next year and India might not want to throw away another chance to bring an end to their over-a-decade-long ICC trophy drought which keeps getting extended with each passing year. The players have already been identified and India are now in the process of finalising the right personnel for the right job as the World Cup stands less than seven months away.

The old warhorses have already been sidelined and their futures remain in doubt while the young crop is now being tested to the fullest. A young Indian squad is currently locking horns with Australia in a five-match T20I series as the regulars get much-needed rest after a gruelling ODI World Cup. A number of young guns in the squad have already impressed in international cricket in a short time and are staking a claim for a permanent spot in India’s T20I squad.

Impressing with their fearless approach and ability to handle pressure, some of these youngsters, who have already proved their mettle in the Indian Premier League (IPL) are ready to take the next step in their careers. Here is a look at five future stars who can be part of India’s gen-next in T20Is and form the nucleus of their squad for the T20 World Cup 2024.

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India’s gen-next in T20Is

Yashasvi Jaiswal – Yashasvi Jaiswal was one of the stand-out performers in the IPL 2023 earlier this year and there has been no stopping the young southpaw ever since. Jaiswal toyed with quality bowling attacks in the IPL, batting fearlessly at the top and providing his team with cracking starts. He earned a well-deserved India call-up after smashing 625 runs in 14 games in the IPL and has already made a mark in international cricket with a century on Test debut and 253 runs in just 8 innings in T20Is.

The swashbuckling left-hander once again looked in brilliant touch against Australia in the first T20I on Thursday but failed to convert his start into a big score as he scored 21 off just 8 balls. From skills to temperament and an aggressive approach, Jaiswal has everything required to be a successful modern-day T20I opener and is likely to become a future star for the Indian team.

Ruturaj Gaikwad – He became only the third Indian to get dismissed in a diamond duck in T20Is after getting out on a duck without even facing a delivery in the 1st T20I against Australia on Thursday. However, that takes nothing away from what Gaikwad has achieved in a short span in his career in the IPL and domestic cricket. A technically gifted batter, Gaikwad is poetry in motion when on song.

He has already become a vital cog for CSK in the IPL, playing an instrumental role in their last two title triumphs with heaps of runs but Gaikwad is yet to prove himself for India. He has 277 runs at an average of over 25 in 15 T20Is for the Indian team and still has a long way to go. However, Gaikwad is one for the future and needs to be backed consistently considering his incredible skills and abilities which can see him become a long-term successful opener for India.

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Tilak Varma – Tilak Varma has been a revelation for Mumbai Indians in the IPL with his impressive performances over the last two seasons. A lot has already been said and written about the young left-hander, who is an exceptional talent and has the potential to become a future star for Team India. Tilak, who made his India debut earlier this year, made a mark straightaway in his first series for the Men in Blue against West Indies with consistent performances.

A reliable presence in the middle order, Tilak has so far played 11 T20Is for India and has amassed 243 runs at an average of over 34. His performances in T20Is earlier this year even earned him his debut for India in ODIs with many even backing him to make the cut in India’s ODI World Cup squad. However, as expected, the youngster ended up missing out. But, his first World Cup for India might not be too far away if he can continue performing the way he has done so far.

Rinku Singh – Rinku Singh has batted only three times for India in T20Is but is already being hailed by many as the next-best finisher for the team in the shortest format. In his three innings, Rinku has played three fabulous cameos against three different teams. He scored an unbeaten 22 off just 14 balls in the 1st T20I against Australia on Thursday to continue his impressive run and stake a claim for a permanent spot in T20Is.

Rinku was one of the best performers in IPL 2023 where he notched up 474 runs in 14 games for KKR to establish his credentials as the finisher for his franchise. He earned his maiden India call-up earlier this year and has since scored 97 runs in three innings. While he still needs to deliver consistently, Rinku, has in a short time, shown he has composure, character and the power game required to be an ideal finisher for India in T20Is.

Ravi Bishnoi – With India moving on from Yuzvendra Chahal, Ravi Bishnoi has emerged as one of the contenders to take his spot in the playing XI with the T20 World Cup just a few months away. A quality leg-spinner, Bishnoi is known for his ability to trick batters into his traps and is someone who rarely shies away from taking high risks for high rewards.

The 23-year-old has already impressed with his skills in the IPL and has also done well for India in T20Is with 26 wickets in 17 matches. He looks set to take the next step in his career and should be backed consistently ahead of the T20 World Cup next year. Bishnoi can become a permanent feature in the tem soon if he continues his fine form.

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