Former India cricketer and head coach, Ravi Shastri, has heaped praise on the young talents lighting up IPL 2025, suggesting that several of them are destined to wear the Indian jersey soon. Speaking on the ICC Review Show, Shastri lauded the performances of Ayush Mhatre, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Priyansh Arya, and Prabhsimran Singh, who have all impressed with their fearless cricket this season.
Highlighting Ayush Mhatre’s standout display against Mumbai Indians, Shastri said,
“The shots, the three shots Ayush Mhatre played against Mumbai Indians the other night in Mumbai… unbelievable for a 17-year-old. Against a star-studded line-up, to come out and express himself in that fashion caught everyone’s eye. If handled properly, with the right people around him, he can go a long way.”
Turning his attention to Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Shastri emphasized the need for the youngster to gain experience, especially when dealing with challenging situations and failures—key lessons that will shape his career.
He added,
“When you tonk someone’s first ball for six, you show no mercy. It doesn’t matter if he’s 14, 12, or 20 years old. The menu remains the same. Vaibhav will need to adapt and show that he can handle that pressure.”
Shastri also spoke about the importance of selecting players when they are in form, urging the BCCI selectors not to wait too long to give these talents a bigger platform.
“This just shows the abundance of talent floating around in India, especially in white-ball cricket. It’s a big headache for selectors. But when a player is hot and confident, pick him. Don’t wait for another season.”
The former coach also gave special mention to Punjab openers Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh, praising their aggressive approach at the top.
“The two Punjab openers – Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh – give it a real smack. It’s as if these kids, whether they are 14 or 17, see the ball and hit it fearlessly in the first six overs.”
As IPL 2025 continues to showcase the next generation of cricketing stars, Shastri’s words underline the importance of nurturing these youngsters at the right time, ensuring India’s cricketing future remains in safe hands.
