For a long time, the Indian T20I approach was marked by extreme cautiousness. They would stick to the basics, very rarely coming out of the shell and do something outside the ordinary. They were just too comfortable in their old ways, so much so that many modern teams started sloughing off. The reason behind this partly because this approach was meant for players whose style is more suited to the 50-over game.
However, once Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli walked into retirement, the Indian team management didn't waste any time in constructing a team full of players who embodied the modern, evolving philosophy of the T20Is. It all started with appointing Surya Kumar Yadav as captain and filling up the batting unit with hitters who don't put a price on their wickets. We take a look at the next generation of Indian stars who are redefining the game of T20Is.
From Tilak Varma to Abhishek Sharma: 7 Next-Generation Cricket Players Who Are Redefining India's T20I Strategy
Tilak Varma
Tilak Varma, 22, has shown a maturity that belies his age. In the second T20I against England, Varma stood tall, amassing an unbeaten 72 to guide India to a thrilling two-wicket victory. Varma has scored 707 runs in 22 T20Is, at an average of 58 and a strike rate of 156. His ability to shift through gears is what makes him a special talent.
Abhishek Sharma
The 2024 edition of the Indian Premier League was a breakthrough year for Abhishek Sharma, who scored 484 runs in 16 matches at an astounding strike rate of over 200. Sharma's breathtaking hitting ability earned him a place in the Indian team, where he opens the batting with Sanju Samson. Sharma has a strike rate of 183 after playing 14 matches for India.
Varun Chakravarthy
Varun Chakravarthy, 33, is a late bloomer who made his debut four years ago, and initially, he struggled to cement his place in the Indian team. But now, he is among the first names in the teamsheet. Chakravarthy's mystery spin has become a cheat code for India in recent times. He claimed five wickets and gave just 61 runs in the first two matches of the ongoing T20I series against England.
Nitish Kumar Reddy
Nitish Kumar Reddy became a household name after his all-round performance in the Test series against Australia, but his real forte has always been the shortest format of the game. Reddy is a destructive batter who can take on both spinners and pacers with ease and also bowl restrictive spells. He has played 4 T20Is, in which he has amassed 90 runs and claimed three wickets. Reddy was included in the main squad for the T20I series versus England, but he had to leave the contingent because of an injury.
Rinku Singh
Is there a more consistent lower-order hitter than Rinku Singh in the world? He rose to fame after smacking five sixes against Yash Dayal in the Indian Premier League, and he never turned back after securing a spot in the Indian team. The left-handed batter has piled up over 500 runs at an average of 46 in T20Is. He has made a reputation for bailing out the team from a tricky position.
Ravi Bishnoi
Quick leg-breaks, sharp sliders and killer googlies are what make Ravi Bishnoi a threatening proposition for the opponents. It's rare to see Bishnoi getting toyed around in the field, as batters often struggle to pick him out. He has an economy rate of just a shade above 7 and has taken 56 wickets in 39 matches.
Shivam Dube
For long India only had one fast-bowling all-rounder in Hardik Pandya. Now they have the likes of Nitish Kumar Reddy and Shivam Dube, whose career took off ever since he joined Chennai Super Kings. Dube is known for his hitting prowess, and the Indian team would often use him as a middle-over destructor.
