Shastri lauded the new generation of young batters doing well in the ongoing IPL.
Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has lauded the new generation of young batters doing well in the ongoing IPL 2025 season and has shortlisted four names he feels will go on to make an international career in the future.
Speaking on the latest episode of The ICC Review, Shastri admitted that some of the teenage sensations have taken him by surprise with their fearless approach.
Shastri believes Chennai Super Kings’ Ayush Mhatre, Rajasthan Royals’ Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Punjab Kings’ opening pair of Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh could well replicate their IPL form at international level going forward.
“The two Punjab openers (Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh) as well, they give it a smack," Shastri said.
"It's as if these youngsters who have come in now, they're 14 years, 17 years of age and it's see it, hit it in the first six overs.“
Arya, 23, has been in sublime touch since the start of the tournament, amassing 254 runs from eight innings at a staggering strike rate of 201.58, including a stunning century against CSK.
Mhatre, just 17, was signed as a replacement for the injured Ruturaj Gaikwad, and he slammed 32 off just 15 balls against the star-studded Mumbai Indians (MI) bowling attack to leave everyone in awe.
“The shots, the three shots this Ayush Mhatre played against the Mumbai Indians the other night in Mumbai…" Shastri stated.
“The way he took off, unbelievable shots for a 17-year-old, against a star-studded Mumbai Indians line-up to come out and express himself in that fashion caught everyone's eye.
“I think Ayush Mhatre has got a future. When I look at him, some of the shots he played, I think this guy, if he's handled properly and is with the right kind of people, he is someone who can go a long way."
Another teenage prodigy, 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi, left a lasting impression on Shastri with his strokeplay.
The southpaw opened the innings against Lucknow Super Giants and struck a whirlwind 34 off 20 balls, including a six he hit off Shardul Thakur’s bowling on the very first delivery he faced in the IPL.
“I think the first shot he played, that would have taken everyone's breath away," Shastri said.
"But, he's young, so I would say just let him play a bit because it's at that age, there's bound to be failure as well. It's how he handles failure."
Shastri pointed out how the IPL has become a launching pad for untapped potential across India, but he also issued a word of caution.
“People will come up with new things. There'll be lots of short stuff thrown at him. When you tonk someone's first ball for six, then you show no mercy. Then you don't care whether he's 14 years old or 12 years old or 20 years old," he said.
“The menu is the same that you dish out. So, he'll have to get used to that and once we see him handling that then you can make a proper judgment.”
India’s white-ball talent pool keeps getting richer every season, with the likes of Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan, Abhishek Sharma and others proving their worth season in and out for a spot in the national team.
“This just shows in white-ball cricket, the abundance of talent that's floating around, in India. It's a big headache for the selectors," Shastri noted.
“But when you think someone is hot, give him the run because you know it's very important not just to just watch him and we'll see him next season after he has one good season but if he's hot and confident and you think you know he’s ticked most boxes even to raise the bar at a higher level, pick him.”
(With ICC Inputs)