The Indian team had an unproductive year, as they failed to end their long-standing ICC trophy drought once again. Before failing to qualify for the knockout stage of the T20 World Cup 2021, India lost the inaugural edition of the World Test Championship to New Zealand. It also lost the south african test series with the Porteas at 2-1
While the Indian cricket team had a disappointing year in terms of results, 2021 saw the rise of a number of promising youngsters who can become the future stars of the game. Mohammed Siraj and Rishabh Pant cemented their spots in the Indian team with their heroics in Australia, while Ishan Kishan fulfilled his dream of playing for India.
The following are some of the rising stars of the Indian cricket team.
Ruturaj Gaikwad
If he is nurtured in a proper manner and given proper opportunities, Ruturaj Gaikwad could become a major player in Indian cricket. Gaikwad has demonstrated his skills and talent in the Indian Premier League against the best of the bowlers and has impressed everyone with his impeccable technique and tenacity.
Gaikwad is a technically gifted batter who can score runs with ease. In IPL 2022, he scored 635 runs in 16 matches at an impressive average of 45.35 with a strike rate of over 136. He then became the top run-getter in the Vijay Hazare Trophy by scoring 603 runs in just five games, earning him a spot in the Indian ODI team.
In the year 2022, Gaikwad is one of the promising batsmen to watch out for, as he looks set to make it big in Indian cricket.
Venkatesh Iyer
In 2021, Venkatesh Iyer enjoyed one of his best cricket seasons after his all-around heroics for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Known as a powerful opener and a good bowler, Iyer has risen through the ranks quickly and has already played in ODIs and T20Is for the Indian team. With some brilliant performances with the bat, he made it possible for KKR to reach the final of the IPL 2021. For KKR in the second phase of the IPL 2021 in the UAE, Iyer scored 370 runs in just ten matches. Then he continued his impressive play in the Vijay Hazare Trophy before being called up to the Indian ODI team. Having the skills and talent to become a future star of Indian cricket, 2022 is a crucial year for the batting all-rounder.
Avesh Khan
As he continues to knock on the selectors’ doors for an India debut, Avesh Khan has risen from humble beginnings to come a long way. As the second-highest wicket-taker of the IPL 2021 season for Delhi Capitals with 24 wickets in 16 matches, Avesh helped Delhi reach the playoffs.
Last year, Avesh was selected as one of the standby fast bowlers for the Indian team during its tour of England. In addition to having pace, he has the ability to bowl the right line and length consistently, which makes him a valuable member of his team. His dream of making his international debut for India in 2022 may come true when he bursts onto the scene for India.
Ishan Kishan
The Mumbai Indians’ standout performer in their title-winning campaign was Ishan Kishan, who had a dream run in IPL 2022. Last year, he was given his India debut and impressed as an opener. He can take the game away from the opposition in a matter of a few overs with his explosive and swashbuckling style of batting.
So far, he has only played five T20Is and two ODIs for India, but he is currently part of the ODI squad in the series against South Africa and is likely to be involved going forward. As long as he is given consistent opportunities to play for Team India, Ishan can have a breakthrough year in 2022.
Prasidh Krishna
Prasidh Krishna has been a part of the Indian Premier League for a while now but has not quite been able to set the stage on fire with his performances. He is one of the most promising fast bowlers in the country at present. Despite this, he remains an exciting prospect for the Indian team and can be used across all three formats.
Krishna is a tall and lanky fast bowler who can consistently clock good pacers. He made his Indian debut in an ODI against England at home last year and was part of the squad for the ODI series against South Africa. He is expected to be eased into the other formats as well and might become a potent fast bowler for India.
Ravi Bishnoi
A star was born when Ravi Bishnoi performed brilliantly for the India U-19 team at the U-19 World Cup in 2020. He was signed by Punjab Kings at the IPL player auction the same year and hasn’t looked back since. Bishnoi is currently one of the hottest young spin prospects in the country and has a bright future ahead of him.
In his debut IPL season with Punjab, he took 12 wickets in 14 games before taking 12 wickets in just nine games last season. In 23 IPL matches, he has taken 24 wickets, and he has been selected as one of three draft picks by the Lucknow IPL team before the IPL 2022 mega auction. Bishnoi has a chance to break into the Indian team this year if he can deliver consistently in the upcoming IPL season.
