3 youngsters who could become the next lead spinner for the Indian cricket team

The Indian cricket team has always been blessed with a wealth of spin-bowling riches. Right from the days of the legendary spin quartet, the country has seen many talented tweakers showcase their wares on the international stage.

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The Indian cricket team's long line of legendary spinners

Anil Kumble is the third-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket, with 619 scalps to his name. Harbhajan Singh is 13th on the same list, while Ravichandran Ashwin lingers at the 21st position.

Ravindra Jadeja is one of the most accurate left-arm spinners cricket has ever seen, while Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal have revolutionised limited-overs attacking bowling.

However, it might be time for India to look to the future. Chahal turns 30 in a week, and Ashwin and Jadeja are nearing the twilight of their primes.

In this article, we take a look at 3 young bowlers who could become the Indian cricket team's next lead spinner.

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#3 Washington Sundar

Washington Sundar made his Indian cricket team debut 3 years ago

Washington Sundar is only 20 years old, but it has been almost three years since he made his international debut for the Indian cricket team. The Tamil Nadu spinner is a consistent performer in the limited-overs circuit and has displayed his talent in the Indian Premier League (IPL) as part of the Rising Pune Supergiant and Royal Challengers Bangalore.

Washington is quick through the air and very difficult to get away, and these qualities make him a candidate for a regular spot in the ODI and T20I teams. Although it remains to be seen how he fares in the longest version of the game, the youngster has a very calm head on his shoulders, a trait that has drawn praise from his IPL (and Indian) skipper Virat Kohli.

Washington does need a few more variations in his arsenal, and a certain Ravichandran Ashwin could help him in this regard. The off-spinner is also handy with the bat and has the ability to play the big shots.

In the years to come, Washington Sundar could become India's lead spinner. He could even take it a step further and become an all-rounder of the mould of Jadeja.

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#2 Ravi Bishnoi

Bishnoi bamboozled batsmen in the 2020 U-19 WC but is yet to make his Indian cricket team debut

Ravi Bishnoi burst upon the international stage in the 2020 U-19 World Cup, finishing the competition as the highest wicket-taker with 17 scalps. He played a crucial role in the U-19 Indian cricket team's run to the final, and although they fell at the final hurdle to a determined Bangladesh side, the leg-spinner picked up another 4-wicket haul and was the only bowler to put up a fight.

Bishnoi has an extremely deceptive googly, one that has been likened to Afghanistan spinner Rashid Khan's. Like Washington, he is quick through the air and accurate. The 19-year-old is also an excellent fielder and can be frequently seen manning the backward point region.

After being picked up by the Kings XI Punjab in the 2020 IPL auction, Bishnoi was expected to perform at an even higher level until the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted cricket across the globe. The Rajasthan spinner will be one to watch out for, both when cricket resumes and in the future for the Indian cricket team.

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#1 Rahul Chahar

Rahul Chahar is already Mumbai Indians' lead spinner in the Indian Premier League

Mumbai Indians' Rahul Chahar is similar to Ravi Bishnoi in many ways. Both leg-spinners have potent googlies and are quick through the air, and electric in the field. They are part of the new era of wrist-spinners who rely on accuracy and variations more than guile and flight.

Chahar has a plethora of variations in his kitty, something he has displayed on numerous occasions in the IPL. The 20-year-old made his India debut last year after upstaging another young leggie, Mayank Markande, in the world's most prestigious T20 franchise league.

With Chahal now nearing 30 years of age and yet to make his Test debut, Chahar (and Bishnoi) could really stake a claim for a spot in the Indian cricket team in all three formats. This investment could pay rich dividends in the future for the Indian cricket team as unlike most other spinners in the past, Chahar has the experience of bowling to the best international batsmen in the IPL at a very young age.

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