India's cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar acknowledged the big role of IPL in shaping up players for the future. He credited IPL for helping India develop a strong bench strength as players come one-on-one against world-class cricketers in the tournament. 

In the ongoing T20I series between India and England, Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav made their debuts and they have produced quality knocks in the given chance. It shows India has high-caliber players on the bench and the side won't have to compromise on quality if their regular players miss out.

“Yeah, both Surya and Ishan are ready to play, because you know, I have always felt that IPL’s introduction has helped players,” Tendulkar told PTI.

“Because earlier when we played, I hadn’t played against a Wasim (Akram), when we played in Australia, I hadn’t played a (Shane) Warne or (Craig) McDermott or Merv Hughes. We went there and we had to figure out what has happened.”

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Tendulkar highlighted how playing against Jofra Archer and Ben Stokes in IPL helped Yadav in the fourth T20I. He praised IPL saying there are many players who are groomed in the tournament and they are ready to challenge the top-class players.

“With the help of IPL, I mean, yesterday I was watching the game, and Surya was batting and (Jofra) Archer bowled to him and Ben Stokes and the commentator said that it is nothing new for Surya because he has already played against Rajasthan Royals,” he said.

“Both Archer and Stokes play for Rajasthan Royals, so it is nothing different and he (Surya) knows what they do and he has played against them already. So, it wasn’t the first time.

“That’s the only reason I am saying that both these guys are ready to play for India and that just shows the bench strength of our team, it is really strong. So that’s the beauty of our cricket now, that there are a number of players, who are ready to go out.”

(With PTI Inputs)