Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravindra Jadeja are all stalwarts of Indian cricket. With their performances, they have dominated each and every cricket format.
But now, since all three players have retired from T20Is after winning the T20 World Cup 2024, held in the USA and West Indies, which ended the Men in Blue’s 11-year ICC drought, speculation is as high as the height of a palm tree. Who can fill their boots, or rather, who are those players who could fulfill the roles for India in T20Is that these legends did over the years?
In the ongoing Zimbabwe tour, where India is playing a 5-match T20I series, we are witnessing new faces who could take center stage in the future for India in T20Is. But who are the three players who could be the next big thing for Men in Blue in T20Is? Let’s take a look at all the names.
3 players who could be the next big thing in T20Is for India
Abhishek Sharma
Having had an impressive IPL 2024, which earned Abhishek Sharma an Indian jersey, he has already shown the world what he is capable of by hitting an impressive 100 against Zimbabwe in his second T20I game. Although it’s early to make predictions, as this is just the beginning for him in the India colors, but his performances in the IPL for Sunrisers Hyderabad have been impeccable.
This southpaw has done an amazing job, and much like Rohit Sharma, he enjoys hitting the ball out of the park. He is an opener, and like the ‘Hitman,’ he also knows how to capitalize on the first six overs of the game.
While it’s too soon to draw any comparisons with Rohit Sharma, but the way he scores runs is reminiscent of the now-former T20I skipper. Looking at Abhishek Sharma’s runs in IPL 2024, in 16 matches he scored 484 runs at an unbelievable strike rate of 204, establishing himself as a dangerous opener who could serve in this role for a long time, much like Rohit Sharma.
Ruturaj Gaikwad
The current Chennai Super Kings skipper and India’s top-order batter, Ruturaj Gaikwad, could fill the No. 3 spot. Position was initially controlled by Virat Kohli for many years across formats. And similar to Kohli, Gaikwad likes to establish his innings and then aggressively accelerate in the last few overs of the game. In T20Is, he has already scored over 500 runs in 19 innings at a strike rate of 141.40.
There is no doubt that Gaikwad is slowly but steadily establishing himself as a trusted top-order batsman for India in the shorter formats of the game. Additionally, he is now captaining the CSK side, which adds more responsibility to his role.
We can expect Ruturaj Gaikwad to take on the No. 3 spot for India in T20Is and perform admirably, much like King Kohli did.
Washington Sundar
As far as spin all-rounders are concerned, Ravindra Jadeja, who served India for 15 years in T20Is (making his debut in 2009), has also hung up his boots. The talk of his replacement is also taking center stage, with two competitors on the line, Axar Patel and Washington Sundar. Patel has been doing great for India over the past two years. However, Washington Sundar is also being considered to fill Jadeja’s shoes in the future.
Jadeja consistently batted for India lower down the order and played crucial roles in the middle overs as a bowler. Similarly, Sundar is currently impressing in T20Is for India, having taken 37 wickets in 45 matches with an economy of 7.06, slightly lower than Jadeja’s 7.13. With the bat, Sundar has contributed decently in 45 games, scoring 134 runs at an strike rate of 128. He is seen as an absolute successor to Ravindra Jadeja.
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