We examine a group of youthful India batsmen who, if given the opportunity during the new ICC World Test Championship cycle, are capable of matching the exploits of Yashavi Jaiswal and thriving at Test level.
Jaiswal was one of two players given a Test debut for India in their ongoing Test against the West Indies in Dominica. The 21-year-old promptly proved himself capable by becoming the 17th Indian player to score a century on their Test debut.
Ricky Ponting was effusive in his praise for Jaiswal when speaking with host Sanjana Ganesan on the most recent episode of The ICC Review. The former Australia captain admitted he was not surprised to see the left-hander make a strong impression after watching him score 625 runs for the Rajasthan Royals in the most recent Indian Premier League season.
“I mean (Yashasvi) Jaiswal’s IPL was something special. He almost just flicked a switch and turned into a superstar overnight,” Ponting said.
“Everyone knew that he was a talented youngster, but what I saw in this year’s IPL, he’s got all sorts of talent.”
Ponting believes that a number of uncapped teenagers will be inspired by Jaiswal and can perform similarly if given an opportunity at the Test level.
Ruturaj Gaikwad, who scored 590 runs in this year’s IPL and is also in India’s touring party in the Caribbean, was cited by Ponting as another player who could shine in the coming years. Sarfaraz Khan and Prithvi Shaw were also cited as two batsmen who could easily adapt to the rigors of Test cricket.
“There’s a lot of those young Indian guys that I can’t wait to see play Test cricket and yet you look at their domestic records as well and you can’t help but be impressed,” Ponting said.
“I’m on record saying that I think (Ruturaj) Gaikwad’s the same (as Jaiswal). I think he could be a very serious Test match player or all-format player really in the next couple of years.”
Ponting, like Sarfaraz, was a teammate of Ponting’s at the Delhi Capitals in the IPL, and the Australian has high hopes for Ponting’s future success.
The 25-year-old has a first-class batting average of nearly 70, and Ponting considers it unfortunate that India selectors have neglected him thus far.
“The one I do feel a little bit sorry for is Sarfaraz Khan. The fact that he hasn’t got a look in a Test squad just yet considering he averages in the high 80s I think in first-class cricket, which is absolutely unheard of, but for some reason, they keep picking these other guys ahead of him,” Ponting said.
Ponting also believes that Shaw could flourish for India in the future if he works towards a recovery. Shaw made his international debut in 2018, but has not represented his nation since 2021.
Ponting placed Shaw in the same category as Jaiswal and Sarfaraz, adding, “If I could turn the clock back a couple of years, I would also place Prithvi Shaw in this category. I still believe that he is capable of returning to that level, as his aptitude is unquestionable.
“So, yeah, I probably do think those two guys would be the standouts. I think just off the top of my head, batting-wise, they’d be the two. And as I said, well Sarfaraz is the other one that’s got all sorts of talent that we might not see for a little while just yet.”
