Australian legend Ricky Ponting has identified a group of young Indian batsmen who could match opener Yashavi Jaiswal’s prowess and thrive at Test level if given the chance in the new ICC World Test Championship cycle. Jaiswal is one of two players to make his Test debut for India in the current Test against the West Indies in Dominica, and the 21-year-old proved he is up to the task, becoming the 17th Indian player to score a century in Tests. Debut.
Speaking on the latest episode of The ICC Review, Ponting heaped praise on Jaiswal, admitting he was not surprised to see the left-hander’s strong impression during his 625 for Rajasthan Royals. Season of Indian Premier League (IPL).
“I mean (Yasaswi) Jaiswal’s IPL was special. He almost flicked a switch and became a superstar overnight. Everyone knew he was a talented young player, but what I saw in this year’s IPL, he has all kinds of talent,” Ponting told the ICC.
Ponting also believes that there will be other young players who, given the opportunity at the Test level, may not perform as well as Jaiswal’s inspiration.
Ponting nominated Ruturaj Gaekwad, who scored 590 runs in this year’s IPL – and is currently in India’s touring party in the Caribbean – as another player who could shine in the coming years, and Sarfaraz Khan and Prithvi Shah as two other batsmen who could easily adjust. To the rigors of Test cricket.
“There are a lot of Indian youngsters who I can’t wait to see play Test cricket, yet you also look at their domestic records and you can’t help but be impressed. I’m going to go on record with (Ruthuraj) Gaekwad (as well as Jaiswal) in the next couple of years and he’s going to be a very serious Test match player or all-format player. I think it will be,” Ponting said.
Shaw is another player who Ponting believes can develop for India in the future if he works hard for a comeback. Shah made his international debut in 2018 but has not represented his country since 2021.
“So, yes, I think those two are going to be standouts. Batting-wise, off the top of my head, I think they’re going to be the two. Like I said, Sarfaraz is the other one. We’ve got all kinds of talent that we haven’t seen for a while,” the former Australian captain said.
Notably, Gaekwad was in India’s Test squad but did not get a chance to play in the first Test.
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