Former England cricketer Darren Gough was extremely impressed by the current crop of India's players like Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, Shreyas Iyer, and others, saying they are setting the blueprint for the future generations and showing how the Indian batting will evolve in the next decade.
His comments came after having been impressed by the tremendous exploits of Indian youngsters in the recently-concluded white-ball series against England at home.
Gough was particularly impressed by Pant and Hardik following their 99-run partnership for the fifth wicket after India was reduced to 157/4 in the final ODI that the hosts won by 7 runs to clinch the series 2-1 against England last week.
Citing the example of Pant and Pandya, the Englishman said the cricket world will see some “fantastic batting” and several teams will emulate India’s aggressive approach in the near future while claiming every player is going to play like the abovementioned stars in the 10 years’ time.
Gough said on talkSPORT: “In 10 years’ time, every player is going to play like that – Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya. So you better get used to it. That’s how everyone is going to play. You’ve seen the players – your Smith, Williamson, Root, who played according to the situation in certain extend… build an innings and expand right at the end with their strike rate.”
He added, “But the future is already here – Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer… all these guys, that’s the way everyone is going to play in 15 years’ time. Some fantastic batting.”
In the final ODI, Pandya and Pant played aggressively and blasted 99 runs in the next 11 overs to help India gain a much-needed boost in the end and eventually won the game against England
Commenting on the same, Gough said: “India was disappointed when they went off with that score (329). That partnership between Pant and Pandya was so crucial for India, but the way they kept going was incredible. There were no nerves.”
He signed off by saying, “Pant was still trying to sweep doing the 'Dil Scoop' over his head or stepping across the stumps and flicking over square leg, Hardik Pandya hitting sixes galore… I mean, Pandya just stands still, strong base, and backs himself to clear the future. The future… right there.”
