Young India takes the field

India Today

In conversation with India Today's Consulting Editor (Sports) Nikhil Naaz, we break down the future of Indian cricket.

Transcript

00:00No Virat, Ashwin or Rohit. What do you think about India's playing 11?

00:04Ashwin, Rohit, Virat, big names no doubt. It does seem like there will be a gaming world in that playing 11.

00:10But I don't think it's necessarily a bad thing.

00:14According to you, what are the five highlights of this score?

00:17Highlight number one is going to be Sai Sudarshan making his debut.

00:20He makes his debut on the 20th of June and that's a very interesting day.

00:25Just to give you a few names that have made their debut on 20th of June.

00:29A certain Saurabh Ganguly, Rahul Ravid, Virat Kohli.

00:33These are three names that made their debut on 20th of June.

00:36The other thing really to look into this playing 11 is Shubhman Gill.

00:40Not that his being part of the playing 11 is anything to talk about because as you all know he is the captain.

00:45But the fact that he will be batting at number 4.

00:47Now this is the superstar position in Indian cricket.

00:51Before him, Sachin Tendhukar, Virat Kohli.

00:56You had someone like Dilip Pengsar.

00:58After Suni Gavaskar who was India's best batter in the 70s and 80s.

01:02Who was an opener.

01:03After that from 80s onwards till now.

01:05Number 4 has been reserved for the number 1 batter of the Indian team.

01:09So Shubhman Gill is walking into some big shoes.

01:12Third highlight is that of Kier Rahul.

01:14It's going to be a very important series for him.

01:17Now he always throughout his career has had a sword hanging on his head.

01:22He has been dropped on previous occasions.

01:24But I think now with the transition with a lot of senior players missing.

01:28I think the one bright thing that will happen for Kier Rahul is get an extended run.

01:32So he can play with a lot of freedom, with a lot of confidence.

01:36The other highlight is of course Karun Nair making his debut after such a long time.

01:40And I think he deserves that.

01:42Very recently he came out and said that many people told him that listen now you'll never get a chance during your 30s.

01:48So best to retire.

01:49That will allow you to play some T20 cricket, franchise cricket.

01:53Make a lot of money.

01:54So that's the best possible route that you can take.

01:57But he said no.

01:58I'm going to persist.

01:59I'm going to keep trying.

02:00Kept playing domestic cricket.

02:01Kept piling on the runs.

02:02And I think it's his hard work that is really paid off for him.

02:06Now this series is going to be a defining series for Indian cricket.

02:10Because you have three stalwarts.

02:12Three arguably one of the best players that you've had in the history of Indian cricket.

02:17And them having bid goodbye to the game.

02:19One thing that I would request all Indian fans to do.

02:22This is also going to test their patience.

02:24Because the young team always takes time to settle in.

02:26But you would need to back this young team.

02:28Because a young team going through transition cannot guarantee you instant success.

02:33You will have to be a bit patient with them.

02:35You will have to be a bit patient with the captain itself.

02:38For the results to eventually come.

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