Top 10 Young Indian Cricketers to Watch in Next Decade

By Harshit - Sep 25, 2025 08:54 PM
Last updated on Sep 25, 2025 08:58 PM

While many young cricketers show promise, only a handful are carving their names into the future of Indian cricket. Some have already stepped onto the international stage with memorable performances, while others are building momentum through strong showings in domestic cricket and the IPL. The next decade looks set to be thrilling, and a fresh crop of batters, bowlers, and all-rounders are ready to shoulder the expectations of a cricket-mad nation.

These players come from diverse backgrounds — small towns, metropolitan maidans, and sporting families — but they share common traits of grit, discipline, and hunger. Their journeys combine early sacrifice, breakthrough performances, and the kind of temperament that separates potential from superstardom. Below are detailed biographies and career sketches of ten young Indians likely to shape cricket’s next chapter.

Yashasvi Jaiswal

Born into a humble household, Yashasvi Jaiswal moved from Uttar Pradesh to Mumbai at a young age in pursuit of cricket. He lived in tents near Azad Maidan, sold pani puris to survive, and endured hardships before his talent caught the eye of coach Jwala Singh. His story of resilience and determination is one of the most inspiring in modern cricket, showing how far passion and grit can take a player.

Jaiswal first gained recognition by becoming the youngest cricketer to score a List A double century during the Vijay Hazare Trophy. His consistent batting displays for Mumbai soon earned him a place in the IPL with Rajasthan Royals, where he dazzled fans with explosive strokeplay and record-breaking feats, including the fastest fifty by an Indian player.

At just 23, Jaiswal has already scored a Test century on debut and delivered impactful IPL innings that make him a contender across formats. With a fearless approach and strong mental temperament, he is seen as one of the biggest hopes for India’s batting lineup in the decade ahead.

Shubman Gill

Shubman Gill was born in Punjab into a farming family and grew up under the watchful eye of his father, Lakhwinder Singh, who was determined to see him succeed in cricket. From his early childhood, Gill spent countless hours practicing on the fields near his home, developing a classical technique and calm temperament that would later become his trademark.

He first came into the limelight at the Under-19 World Cup, where his stylish batting drew widespread acclaim. His transition into domestic cricket was seamless, followed by a successful stint in the IPL with Kolkata Knight Riders and later Gujarat Titans, where he flourished as a reliable top-order batter.

Now 26, Gill is one of India’s most established young stars across formats. He has scored centuries in ODIs, T20Is, and Tests, even captaining India in the longest format at times. His elegant strokeplay and composure make him a long-term pillar for Indian cricket, and he is widely tipped as a future captain who can guide the team into a new era.

Dhruv Jurel

Dhruv Jurel hails from Agra, Uttar Pradesh, and grew up in a family with a strong background in defense services. His father, a retired Army officer, initially wanted him to join the forces, but Jurel’s passion for cricket stood out. Despite facing initial hurdles, his persistence and skill with the bat and gloves carved his path into competitive cricket.

Jurel made his mark in junior cricket and quickly rose through the ranks with his wicketkeeping and batting prowess. His domestic performances, especially in the Ranji Trophy and for India A, highlighted his maturity under pressure. His IPL stints further gave him exposure at the highest level of competition.

At 24, Jurel impressed on his Test debut with composed batting, including a match-saving knock under immense pressure. With a century for India A and his ability to finish games calmly, he is increasingly seen as India’s next long-term wicketkeeper-batsman, a vital role for the team’s balance in all formats.

Sai Sudharsan

Sai Sudharsan was born and raised in Tamil Nadu, coming from a family where sports played an important role. His father was an athlete, which influenced his early interest in pursuing a career in professional sports. Cricket soon became his calling, and his dedication made him stand out in the local circuits.

His domestic journey was impressive, with consistent runs in Tamil Nadu cricket and standout performances in age-group tournaments. Sudharsan’s breakthrough came in the IPL with Gujarat Titans, where he quickly established himself as a stylish left-hander with the ability to anchor and accelerate innings. His stellar 2025 IPL campaign earned him the Emerging Player of the Year award.

Already drafted into the Test squad, Sudharsan’s adaptability across formats at just 23 makes him a key figure for the future. His elegant strokeplay and calm approach to challenging situations suggest that India has found a reliable middle-order batter who could serve the team for years to come.

Abhishek Sharma

Abhishek Sharma was born in Punjab and grew up in a cricket-loving household. His father, a coach, introduced him to the game early, and he quickly became known as a prodigious talent in school-level and state tournaments. His ability to bat aggressively while also bowling left-arm spin made him a rare dual-threat prospect.

Sharma gained prominence in junior cricket and then the IPL, where his explosive batting style earned him recognition. His ability to clear boundaries with ease made him one of the most destructive batters in domestic competitions. His performances for Sunrisers Hyderabad turned him into a fan favorite and a match-winner.

By 25, Abhishek had already earned a call-up to India’s Asia Cup squad. With consistent performances and the ability to change games with both bat and ball, he is expected to become a key all-format player for India in the coming years.

Mayank Yadav

Born in Delhi, Mayank Yadav displayed a natural flair for fast bowling from an early age. His athleticism, height, and ability to generate pace made him a promising prospect. With support from his family, he focused on developing his skills, particularly pace and bounce, which would soon make him stand out among young fast bowlers.

Yadav quickly rose through the ranks in domestic cricket and impressed IPL scouts with his raw pace. Consistently bowling over 150 km/h, he made batsmen uneasy and gained a reputation as a genuine speedster capable of delivering match-winning spells.

At 22, Yadav is seen as a potential spearhead for India’s pace attack. His combination of raw pace, bounce, and fearlessness makes him one of the most exciting young bowlers in the country, with the ability to dominate international lineups in the next decade.

Tilak Varma

Tilak Varma was born in Hyderabad and grew up in a modest family. His father worked tirelessly to support his son’s cricketing ambitions, while Tilak balanced school with hours of training. From a young age, he demonstrated natural batting talent and mental composure beyond his years.

He made an impression in domestic cricket and the IPL, representing Mumbai Indians. His clean hitting, adaptability, and ability to perform under pressure helped him earn attention as a reliable middle-order batsman. Varma became known for his fearless yet calculated approach.

At 22, he has already represented India in T20Is and was part of the Asia Cup squad. His combination of skill, temperament, and finishing ability makes him a long-term prospect for India’s middle order across all formats.

Riyan Parag

Riyan Parag was born in Guwahati, Assam, into a sporting family, with his father having played Ranji cricket and his mother being a swimmer. Surrounded by sport, Parag developed a competitive spirit and a love for cricket early on, quickly showing promise as a young all-rounder.

He rose through Assam’s domestic ranks and made his IPL debut as a lower-order hitter. Over time, he evolved into a dependable batsman and developed leg-spin bowling skills, becoming a genuine all-rounder capable of contributing in multiple facets of the game.

At 23, Parag’s selection as a standby for the Asia Cup 2025 highlights his growing reputation. His ability to play match-defining innings with the bat and offer utility with the ball makes him a promising all-format prospect for India.

Vaibhav Suryavanshi

Vaibhav Suryavanshi was born in 2011 and displayed extraordinary cricketing talent from a very young age. Growing up in a supportive family, he quickly became known for his powerful stroke-making and calmness at the crease, even among much older players.

His record-breaking IPL debut at 14, where he scored a century for Rajasthan Royals, captured the imagination of fans worldwide. His ability to handle high-pressure situations and adapt quickly to the pace and spin of professional cricket has already set him apart from his peers.

Despite his young age, Suryavanshi is viewed as a once-in-a-generation talent. If nurtured properly, he could become one of India’s leading cricket stars, with a career potentially spanning two decades or more.

Musheer Khan

Musheer Khan was born in Mumbai and grew up in a cricketing household, being the younger brother of Sarfaraz Khan. Surrounded by cricket from an early age, he developed solid batting and bowling skills, honing his craft on Mumbai’s competitive maidans.

He gained prominence through the Under-19 World Cup, where he contributed significantly with both bat and ball. Musheer also became the youngest Mumbai player to score a century in a Ranji Trophy final, breaking longstanding records and solidifying his reputation as a promising talent.

At 19, Musheer is already gaining IPL experience and attention from national selectors. His dependable batting, useful left-arm spin, and strong cricketing lineage make him a highly promising all-format prospect for India in the coming years.

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