2013 in Review: Five emerging Indian cricketers

DISCLAIMER: The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and not reflective of the website as a whole.

For all its up and downs, highs and lows, 2013 has been quite a phenomenal year. The excitement of the back-to-back Ashes, the resurgence of the Australians, the escalating stress on regular cricketers, a medley of controversies that shook the entire world of cricket – this year has witnessed it all.

A couple of shock retirements, a poignant speech at Wankhede, legends of the game bidding farewell to fans and critics – pictures that compelled the world to rise on their feet and salute the superstars strike firm contrast to the mind-boggling number of newcomers who have graced the limelight this year with a resolve to make their mark in the international arena.

While some have fallen short of maintaining the required level, others have utilized their opportunities and have convinced the world to sit up and take notice. The best in this business has been, indubitably, India.

With Sachin Tendulkar calling it a day and the team gearing up for a tough overseas schedule, India have done exceptionally well in the last 12 months. The credit, nonetheless, goes to the youngsters who have assisted the seniors masterfully and held the fort for a team in its transition phase.

5. Mohit Sharma

Mohit Sharma

The youngster from Faridabad amazed the viewers with a Man of the Match performance on his debut against Zimbabwe in July. Although he is yet to earn a Test cap for India, he has showcased his zeal to learn in the five ODIs that he has played.

Backed by the Indian skipper, Mohit Sharma has impressed all and sundry with his ability to bowl a tight line and length regardless of the conditions. His lack of raw pace made him look pedestrian in the first ODI against South Africa where he went for 82 runs without a wicket, but his accuracy remains something to be content about.

With only 18 First Class matches under his belt, Mohit is hardly someone who has climbed up the ranks in domestic cricket. He owes his major exposure to the IPL where he turned out for Chennai Super Kings on a regular basis. It will do India a world of good if he maintains the consistency of his domestic circuit at the highest stage.

4. Ajinkya Rahane

Ajinkya Rahane

Regarded as one of the rising youngsters in Indian cricket, Rahane has only luck to blame for warming the bench for so long. However, he did not run out of fuel when selected to represent India at the highest level against the mighty Australians. He failed to spend quality time at the crease in Delhi after travelling for months with the Test squad, but made up for it with a gritty 47 in the first innings against the Dale Steyns in Johannesburg.

The best thing about Rahane is his impeccable timing and his preference of keeping it simple. He seldom implements unorthodox shots and his poise and perseverance deserve acknowledgement. He is firm and composed and builds his innings in style.

At 25, Rahane has a lot of time left to make amends for the selectors’ loss of faith in him, and he would be striving to better his ODI average of 25.66 in 18 matches. The catch now remains whether he can find a place in the packed ODI XI that has been exceptional in the last few months.

3. Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Hailing from Meerut, Bhuvneshwar Kumar made his ODI debut on December 30 last year and scalped the wicket of Mohammed Hafeez with the very first ball of his international career. Since then, he has been a regular member of the ODI team where he has tasted success frequently.

He impressed the selectors with a fine and effective display of swing bowling and earned his Test cap against Australia in Chennai. There he troubled the batsmen with an upright seam and the odd ball refusing to arrow into the right-hander. What makes Bhuvneshwar dangerous in subcontinent conditions is his ability to utilize the movement through the air effectively against unsuspecting batsmen.

He has provided the break-through for India many a time in ODIs and would be hoping to maintain that form in the Tests as well. He has been brilliant in the Champions Trophy where he led his team to the final with a scintillating performance. One only hopes that he continues to dazzle with the ball.

2. Shikhar Dhawan

Shikhar Dhawan

At a time where the nation had been mulling over the poor form of Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir, Shikhar Dhawan burst into the scene with a swashbuckling 187 in 174 balls against Australia in the Mohali Test. That innings scripted a dramatic welcome of an aggressive cricketer who swung his bat as effortlessly as he twirled his mustache.

He seemed determined to make up for lost time as he went on to smash two centuries in successive matches in the Champions Trophy, thereby setting up a brilliant partnership with Rohit Sharma at the top. With a penchant for hitting everything in the V to the stands and a picturesque follow-through, Dhawan assured the nation that they wouldn’t be missing Sehwag.

A destructive cricketer on his day, India heavily relies on him to provide the starts and lay the foundation for a massive score. The year-ending series in the Rainbow Nation may have taken a bit of steam out of him, but Dhawan admits that he has learnt from his mistakes and will only look forward to carry on his fine form.

1. Mohammed Shami

Mohammed Shami

Clearly the find of the season, Mohammed Shami has impressed all and sundry with his high quality seam bowling. Only 20 ODIs and 3 Tests old, Shami is already an indispensable member of India’s bowling unit and the team relies on this strike bowler to win them matches in low-scoring conditions.

On his Test debut, Shami turned out to be a fine exponent of reverse swing as he troubled the Caribbean batsmen and picked up 9 wickets in the match. The major positive for Shami is his ability to intimidate batsmen with an impeccable seam position and a crafty line. He is one of those bowlers who can derive late movements off the deck and use it to his advantage.

His ability to hit the deck at a pace of 140 kph makes him unplayable in certain conditions. The Indian artillery certainly looks menacing with Shami and Bhuvneshwar in the lead. However, it remains to be seen whether Shami can continue to maintain his pace despite the grueling demands of an exhausting cricket schedule.

DISCLAIMER: The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and not reflective of the website as a whole.