Shastri Optimistic About Future Stars Mhatre, Suryavanshi, Arya, and Prabhsimran
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Synopsis
Ravi Shastri expresses strong belief in the potential of young cricketers Ayush Mhatre, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Priyansh Arya, and Prabhsimran Singh to make their mark in international cricket, citing their impressive performances in the IPL.
Key Takeaways
- Ravi Shastri praises Mhatre’s confidence at 17.
- Suryavanshi shows promise as the youngest IPL player.
- Arya and Prabhsimran are excelling for Punjab Kings.
- IPL provides a vital platform for young talents.
- Selectors must pick players in form to maintain success.
New Delhi, April 26 (NationPress) Former India head coach Ravi Shastri is confident that Ayush Mhatre, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Priyansh Arya, and Prabhsimran Singh are on the path to representing international cricket in the future.
Mhatre, at just 17 years old, was brought into the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) squad as a substitute for the injured captain Ruturaj Gaikwad. He has already made a mark with impressive scores of 30 and 32 against Mumbai Indians (MI) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).
“The shots Ayush Mhatre played against Mumbai Indians were remarkable. The way he expressed himself with such confidence at just 17, against a formidable lineup, truly stood out,” stated Shastri during a recent episode of the ICC Review show.
Meanwhile, Suryavanshi, the youngest participant in the IPL at 14 years, showcased his talent with notable scores of 34 and 16 for Rajasthan Royals (RR), including a six off his very first delivery against Shardul Thakur.
“That initial shot he played is something that will be remembered. However, being young, he should be allowed to play freely, as failures are part of the journey,” added Shastri.
Arya and Prabhsimran have also been performing exceptionally well for Punjab Kings (PBKS), accumulating 254 and 209 runs, respectively, across eight matches. “These two openers from Punjab are aggressive, demonstrating that young players, even at 14 and 17 years, are ready to take on challenges head-on,” remarked Shastri.
While praising the IPL for providing a platform for young Indian talents, Shastri issued a word of caution. “New challenges will arise, especially when you hit someone’s first ball for a six; then, no mercy will be shown.”
“Age doesn’t matter in this sport; the challenge remains the same. He must adapt to these conditions, and only then can we truly evaluate his potential,” he added.
With India boasting talents like Shubman Gill, B Sai Sudharsan, and Abhishek Sharma already in the national team, Shastri emphasized that the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee should prioritize players in peak form.
“This highlights the wealth of young talent in white-ball cricket in India. It poses a significant challenge for selectors. If a player is performing well, he should be given opportunities, especially when he is confident and ticking all the right boxes to elevate his game at the next level,” concluded Shastri.
