6 Indian youngsters who are destined for greatness in test cricket

The Indian Cricket team is going through one of the best phases in its cricketing history. Virat Kohli's team recently registered their first test series victory on Australian soil. Before that, they gave a tough fight to England and South Africa in their own backyard.

Their next test assignment is against West Indies in July after the World Cup. Then, after a few home matches, they will tour New Zealand which will mark an end to India’s overseas cycle.

Looking ahead at the future, we look six players who are destined for success in the longer format and show why India could dominate for a long time

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#6 Prithvi Shaw

Prithvi Shaw

Prithvi Shaw is someone earmarked for greatness by many. The 19-year-old was his handed Indian test cap during West Indies series last year. He scored a scintillating century on his debut and followed it up with scores of 70 and 33*.

Shaw was set to open for India in Australia but an unfortunate injury ruled him out of the series. Shaw’s stroke play, especially his backfoot shot has drawn comparisons with Sachin Tendulkar. He is surely a star in making and someone who has the potential to become the mainstay of Indian batting for many years.

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#5 Mayank Agarwal

Mayank Agarwal

Mayank Agarwal was named as the replacement of injured Prithvi Shaw during the Australia tour. Agarwal debuted at gigantic Melbourne Cricket ground and impressed fans with his temperament.

Coming in for his Karnataka team-mate KL Rahul, Agarwal played a composed inning of 76 in his debut innings which provided India with a solid start. His stroke play against Nathan Lyon; drive against the turn, hoick over mid-off, and the slog sweep; served as a throwback to the old Indian mantra of facing spin.

The Karnataka born could forge a successful opening partnership with Shaw at top of the order for India in the future. Both have already done so as the opening pair for India 'A'.

#4 Rishabh Pant

Rishabh Pant

Rishabh Pant has had a spectacular baptism to international cricket. The left-hander was given his test cap against England last year and has already scored a century in both England and Australia. The first test hundred exhibited his power game while the second revealed a restrained side of his persona.

His wicket-keeping has also improved since his first game. Against spinners. he crouches low and then moves with the bounce of the ball. On the other hand, against the faster men, he is alert, agile and acute. If Pant keeps up his good work, he is set to occupy the wicket-keeping position for a long time in the future.

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#4 Hardik Pandya

Hardik Pandya

In his career so far, Hardik Pandya has shown glimpses of his talent. His maiden hundred in Sri Lanka gave testament to the fact that Pandya belongs to this level. The all-counter-attacking attacking 93 against South Africa further accentuated his capabilities. Pandya's five-wicket haul in India's victory at Nottingham exhibited his bowling talent. If he can match his flamboyance with equanimity, he can end India’s search for a fast bowling all-rounder.

#2 Shivam Mavi

Shivam Mavi

Shivam Mavi first grabbed the limelight during 2018 U19 World Cup. The fast-bowler impressed with his pace and control. He was bowling at speeds in excess of 140/hr in New Zealand and caught everyone's attention. Later playing for Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL, Mavi bowled sharply and showed that he possesses the skill set to counter best in the world.

The 20-year-old represents Uttar Pradesh in Ranji Trophy and had a decent 2018-19 season. He is also a capable lower-order batsman which also makes him a prospective number 8; a position necessitating a bowling all-rounder.

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#1 Kuldeep Yadav

Kuldeep Yadav

Kuldeep Yadav is the likely successor Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja in the spin department for India in test cricket. The left-arm wrist spinner has put up noteworthy performances in short career so far which includes a four-wicket haul on debut against Australia and a fifer in Sydney recently. Yadav has earned a lot of praise from former cricketers and with the trend of wrist-spin rising, it won't surprise anyone if he is India's leading spinner in test cricket for the next decade.