IPL 2016: Virender Sehwag ecstatic with the prospects of Krunal Pandya, Shivil Kaushik and other youngsters

Former India international, Virender Sehwag was one of the most feared opening batsmen in world cricket during his playing days. The 37-year-old ‘Nawab of Najafgarh’ has been closely following the 2016 edition of the Indian Premier League as he is officially associated with the Mohali-based IPL franchise, Kings XI Punjab. Sehwag had been roped in by the KXIP co-owner, Preity Zinta at the start of the 2016 IPL season as the mentor of the Mohali outfit.

The former explosive Indian opener believes that despite IPL being one of the most difficult domestic T20 tournaments in world cricket for a youngster to prove himself, a number of promising young cricketers have successfully managed to steal the limelight this year. In his column written for Sport360, Sehwag heaped praise on numerous youngsters such as Shivil Kaushik, Krunal Pandya, Rishabh Pant, Marcus Stoinis and Adam Zampa.

While talking about the Gujarat Lions left-arm orthodox spinner, Shivil Kaushik, Sehwag said, “For his unique action, I quite like Shivil Kaushik. The Gujarat Lions player bowls like South Africa’s Paul Adams- the frog-in-the-blender style- and it is not easy.”

“While I feel he will find the going tough because of his strenuous bowling style, Kaushik has the ingredients to make a mark if he is willing to work that much harder on his fitness and accuracy,” the former India international added.

However, Virender Sehwag believes that Hardik Pandya's elder brother, Krunal, has been the pick of the youngsters in this year's Vivo Indian Premier League. “For me, the standout ‘newcomer’ this IPL has been all-rounder Krunal Pandya. The elder brother of Hardik, it seems Krunal has been inspired by his younger sibling’s international stint and has been excellent this IPL, with more than 200 runs and six wickets at an economy of less than eight an over,” Sehwag wrote.

Later, while commending the heroics of the elder Pandya brother, the 37-year-old added, “Many players get an opportunity in the IPL but very few grab it. Krunal has done that in his very first outing in the tournament for Mumbai and can go a long way.”

Another Indian youngster, Rishabh Pant who is a part of the Delhi Daredevils camp has also managed to impress Virender Sehwag with his performances in this year's IPL. “He (Rishabh Pant) did well for India at the U19 World Cup and while he has scored only one fifty this IPL, there is something about him which sets him apart. He is an aggressive left-handed batsman and a decent wicketkeeper as well. I like his attacking style and feel he can be successful,” Sehwag opinionated.

Sehwag is also impressed by the Aussie duo

Among the foreign players, Marcus Stoinis and Adam Zampa have caught the attention of Virender Sehwag. “He scored close to 150 runs and took eight wickets for Kings XI Punjab. He did well in the Big Bash as well and the Aussie has a good career ahead of him, with his leg cutters and slower ones proving to be very effective” the 37-year-old wrote about Stoinis.

“I also like the look of Adam Zampa. To get the second best bowling figures in IPL history is a challenge and he did that, taking six against (Sunrisers) Hyderabad. The Aussie has the makings of a fine leg-spinner as his action is strong and clean,” Sehwag concluded.