While India celebrated the West Indies victory, the Indian players were still recovering from their recent World Cup battle. It may be time for the selectors and Cricket Advisory Committee to reconsider their plans for the 2019 World Cup in England.
The Indian selectors opted for veterans rather than youth for the World Cup at home. They selected 2011 World Cup heroes Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh, Ashish Nehra and Suresh Raina to add what they said was ‘Winning Mentality’. The performance the team put up could at best be described as being ‘Wobbly’.
The Kiwis experienced a significant loss but rebounded with a convincing win over Pakistan, a fortunate victory against Bangladesh, and another impressive win against Australia, only to lose to the West Indies in the knockouts. Despite Virat Kohli’s record-setting performance, the other batsmen and bowlers underperformed in each match.
All in all, it makes you question if Indian cricket needs another mini-rebuilding. Players like Shikhar Dhawan, Suresh Raina, and Yuvraj Singh seem to lack confidence and are past their prime. Ashish Nehra stands out but is no longer the promising pacer from the 2003 World Cup. It’s time for a change.
A quick look at the top youngsters in the Ranji Trophy 2015-16 and the last IPL throw up quite a few coinciding names. Players who are not only technically sound to perform at the Ranji Level but also adept at playing the 360° brand of cricket.
Shreyas Iyer
The player we think of first is Shreyas Iyer, the ‘Emerging Player of the IPL-8’. The talented Mumbaikar has performed exceptionally in the last two Ranji Trophies, scoring an impressive 809 runs at an average of 51 in one season and an astounding 1321 runs at an average of 74 in the following season.
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His consistent performance demonstrates not only his skill but also his resilience and determination to excel under pressure. With Shikhar Dhawan struggling in all formats of the game, this young and dynamic opener should already be a regular choice for the National team, as his ability to adapt to different match situations makes him a valuable asset.
Iyer’s remarkable talent and growing experience could provide the much-needed impetus to the batting lineup, making him a hopeful contender for long-term success in international cricket.
Suryakumar Yadav
The second man in the list is another Mumbaikar and a former Mumbai skipper, Suryakumar Yadav, who is affectionately known as ‘The ABD made in China’. He has impressively scored 690 runs at an average of 44 and 788 runs at an average of 47 in the past two Ranji campaigns, showcasing his remarkable talent to hit the ball all around the park.
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With an Irani Trophy century to his credit, he has the potential to be India’s brightest hope for producing an ABD, in a unique and exciting twist!
Karun Nair
The Karnataka-born batting all-rounder Karun Nair is another sound batsman who is also pretty decent with the ball as well. He has impressed one and all with his aggressive batting lower down the order for the Rajasthan Royals, showcasing his ability to turn games around in crucial moments.
With a first-class average of 53 and an impressive tally of 32 wickets across as many matches, he is not only proving his worth as a reliable batsman but also as a valuable contributor with the ball.
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His consistent performances have caught the attention of selectors and fans alike, marking him as a player to watch closely in the coming years. With his determination and skill, he is definitely one for the future, and many believe that he has the potential to reach new heights in his cricketing career.
Sanju Samson:
Many believe that even though there isn’t a good enough replacement available, yet MSD is approaching the limelight of his career. While the second part of the belief is quite true, the first part isn’t. Sanju Samson, the young Kerala wicket keeper, has caught everyone’s eye with his performances in the IPL. But there is more to this lad. Having a first-class average of 37 and age being in his favour, in the eyes of many, he should be the one to replace MSD when he hangs up his boots.
Shardul Thakur:
They say when a team wins, it’s a collective effort most of the time. The third person from the victorious Mumbai Ranji side proves just that. The Mumbai pacer Shardul Thakur came into the limelight after notching up a fiver in this year’s Ranji final.
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But even before that, he had finished as the second-highest wicket-taker in the 2014/15 campaign and followed that up with 41 wickets in 11 games in 2015/16. Being on the fringes of the KXi side for the last two years, this could be the year he steps up and earns himself a National team call-up.
Statistics can be misleading, but provide a basis for estimations; with Ravi Shastri’s contract expired and Rahul Dravid’s name circulating, changes in cricket management are imminent, emphasising the need to draft and give opportunities to young players as the team prepares for the upcoming World Cup in home conditions.
