Over the course of its history, the Indian Premier League (IPL) has produced numerous star batters for India and is likely to do so in the future. In white-ball cricket, a formidable top-order led by Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli has dominated the opposition for more than a decade. In particular, Kohli’s performances at No. 3 in ODIs and T20Is have been nothing short of spectacular.
Since he turns 35 in November, many fans may be wondering about the future of Indian cricket. Numerous people would be wondering who would succeed Kohli as the star hitter. In light of this, let’s take a look at five IPL-generated young batters who have the potential to become India’s long-term No. 3 batsman:
5)B Sai Sudharsan
In the midst of the multitude of huge names in the Gujarat Titans (GT) like Hardik Pandya, David Mill operator, and Rashid Khan, there has been a lean left-hander from Tamil Nadu who has discreetly approached his occupation by giving essential commitments at whatever point the group has required him to.
That young person is, in all honesty, B Sai Sudharsan, who in only 10 IPL games, showed his capability to turn into a dependable hitter for India. He has scored 321 runs at a normal of 40.13 and has been a dependable No.3 player for Gujarat at whatever point they have required him. With a smidgen more encounter and consistency, he could well separate that entryway of the Indian group.
4) Venkatesh Iyer
Venkatesh Iyer had recently burst onto the scene during the last part of the IPL 2021 season, as he scored 370 runs in 10 games and took the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to the last. He was quickly accepted into the Indian team due to his ability to bowl at a medium pace.
Venkatesh has played two One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and nine Twenty20 Internationals, but he has yet to receive a national call-up, and he lost popularity once Hardik Pandya became fit enough to bowl. This season has been nothing short of impressive, despite his poor performance in the IPL 2022.
In 10 games, Venkatesh has scored 303 runs, including an incredible 100 at No. 3. The southpaw’s comeback for the Men in Blue won’t be far off if he starts bowling soon and stays consistent.
3) Ruturaj Gaikwad
Ruturaj Gaikwad, another player who has been in and out of the Indian team, continues to rise in prominence for the CSK with each IPL season. Gaikwad was given the longer rope by CSK management after hitting three consecutive half-centuries during the league’s 2020 season, and he has repaid the trust.
He had a breakout IPL 2021 season in which he won the Orange Cap and scored a staggering 635 runs. Gaikwad received his Indian team call-up as a result of this. The stylish right-hander continues to impress in the IPL, which could well keep him in contention for a permanent spot in the white-ball team after the World Cup, despite the fact that he has not been able to make a significant impact in the one ODI and nine T20Is that he has played.
2) Yashasvi Jaiswal
Yashasvi Jaiswal had proactively shown shades of splendor over the beyond hardly any IPl seasons with the Rajasthan Royals (RR). However, it is safe to say that he has produced a breakout campaign this time around thanks to a successful domestic season.
In only nine games this season, Jaiswal has a stunning 428 races in his possession at a marvelous strike pace of 159.67. The brave brand of cricket that he has played in the powerplay has frequently assisted the Royals with adapting to the sluggish beginnings from Jos Buttler at the opposite end.
Jaiswal, like Gaikwad, can perform well anywhere in the top order, and if he continues to perform well, he could become the next Indian cricket superstar.
1) Tilak Varma
Tilak Varma, a young batter, is the one who, according to many fans, has triumphed over multiple challenges. Tilak’s breakout IPL 2022 season just further demonstrated MI’s superior scouting.
Tilak has scored 294 runs in nine games this season, after scoring 397 runs in 14 games. He has batted interestingly at various middle order positions, demonstrating his adaptability. He batted at No.3 for India in the U19 World Cup 2020 and a strong strategy further warrants his case as a future No.3.
Tilak has the potential to quickly break into the Indian team following the IPL 2023 season because he can roll his arm over. The southpaw has the potential to succeed Kohli at No. 3 if he continues to perform at the same high level as he did in the Indian Premier League.