Paranjape Envisions IPL 2025 as a Platform for India's Next Fast Bowling Star

Synopsis

Jatin Paranjape believes the IPL 2025 season will be crucial for India in finding their next fast-bowling spearhead, especially with Jasprit Bumrah's injury. Fast bowlers will be under scrutiny as the T20 World Cup approaches, and several uncapped players may rise to prominence.

Key Takeaways

IPL 2025 may reveal India's next fast bowling leader.
Fast bowlers are under observation for the T20 World Cup.
Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson are expected to secure their spots.
Shashank Singh and Abdul Samad may emerge as uncapped talents.
Bumrah's injury opens a slot for a new opening bowler.

New Delhi, March 21 (NationPress) Jatin Paranjape, a former cricketer for India and national selector, asserts that the upcoming 2025 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) could be pivotal for the national team in discovering their next new-ball fast bowling spearhead, particularly with Jasprit Bumrah in the process of recovering from a back injury.

As the Men’s T20 World Cup is set to take place in India and Sri Lanka next year, the performances of fast bowlers such as Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, and Harshit Rana will be under close observation by the national team coaches and the selection committee led by Ajit Agarkar.

“Players like Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson, who are part of the T20 squad, are likely to secure their positions. In fact, most roles seem filled as our T20 lineup is quite strong. There might be a vacancy for an opening bowler due to Bumrah’s recent injury concerns.

“Determining who will lead the bowling attack with the new ball is a compelling question. Mayank Yadav is currently unavailable due to fitness issues, yet he remains a player to watch,” Paranjape stated in an interview with IANS on Friday.

With Abhishek and Sanju leading the charge as openers, along with Tilak Varma proving to be a dependable top-order batsman, the performances of Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant, and KL Rahul for their respective teams will be closely monitored.

“IPL performances are certainly significant, especially if a T20 multi-lateral tournament or an ICC event is on the horizon. While Gill is expected to be the opener, Iyer is likely to occupy the number three spot.

“I believe there might be a surprising decision with Pant opening the batting for the Lucknow Super Giants, but if that doesn’t happen, he could bat at either three or four. I anticipate KL Rahul will take on the opening role,” Paranjape, a member of BCCI’s Cricket Advisory Committee and co-founder of KheloMore, added.

He concluded by predicting that Shashank Singh from Punjab Kings and Abdul Samad from Lucknow Super Giants could emerge as uncapped Indian players gaining recognition in IPL 2025. “Shashank Singh is someone I have high regard for, while Abdul Samad also possesses considerable talent. Thus, Shashank Singh and Abdul Samad are two uncapped players to watch,” he remarked.