Current best Under-25 XI in cricket

The cricketing world is buzzing with young talent, and these budding youngsters have already captivated the cricket-loving public with their exploits on the field. With the advent of so many T20 leagues in the world, with the Indian Premier League (IPL) leading the way, several cricketing talents are spotted at a young age. And, these young cricketers have already grabbed the spotlight, and are on their way to establishing themselves as the pillars of their respective teams in the years to come. With so many youngsters shining forth in world cricket today, let us take a look at the best Under-25 XI in world cricket at present. 1. Prithvi Shaw Prithvi Shaw. (Photo by ISHARA S. KODIKARA/AFP via Getty Images) When Prithvi Shaw unfurls his shots, the fans are transfixed at the poise and grace that this youngster exudes out in the middle. And, at the age of 21, Shaw has managed to establish himself as the next big star of Indian cricket. The right-handed batting sensation made his debut for the Indian side in international cricket in the year 2018 and immediately announced his arrival to the world by scoring a sparkling century on Test match debut against the West Indies. Shaw is also a vital part of the Delhi Capitals’ side in the Indian Premier League (IPL) as well. The diminutive batsman has already scored over 1000 runs in IPL cricket and has scored his runs at an imposing strike rate of 146.13. Even in the 2021 IPL season, Shaw made heads turn towards his direction and plundered 308 runs from 8 innings at an average of 38.50 and a whopping strike rate of 166.49. 2. Devdutt Padikkal Devdutt Padikkal. (Photo Source: Twitter) Another young Indian batsman who has managed to get the attention of fans and experts is Devdutt Padikkal. The 21-year-old experienced an incredible run with the bat in his maiden IPL season last year and plundered 473 runs. The left-hander was the highest run-scorer for the Royal Challengers Bangalore side in the 2020 edition of the tournament. In the 2021 IPL season too, Padikkal was in resplendent form with the bat and dismantled bowling attacks at the top of the order. At the time of suspension of the 14th IPL edition, Padikkal had scored 195 runs in 6 innings at an average of 39.00 and a strike rate of 152.34. He made his debut for India in the T20I series that took place against Sri Lanka in July 2021. Even though he scored only 38 runs in the 2 innings that he batted, Padikkal is a player to keep an eye on, as he has loads of talent. Padikkal will open the batting alongside Shaw in this side. 3. Ishan Kishan Ishan Kishan. (Photo by ISHARA S. KODIKARA/AFP via Getty Images) Another trailblazing talent in the cricketing world who has made heads turn towards his direction is Ishan Kishan. Kishan is a batsman who displays no fear and has in his arsenal an array of shots that can push the opposition to the back foot. Kishan is a part of the Mumbai Indians franchise in the IPL. In the 2020 edition of the tournament, the left-hander blasted 516 runs and scored his runs at an incredible average of 57.33, and a strike rate of 145.76. Kishan also experienced a sensational start to his ODI career as well. He scored a match-winning 59 on his ODI debut against Sri Lanka last month, and what was impressive to see was that he displayed no nerves. He in fact smashed the first ball he faced in ODI cricket for a six over the bowler’s head. This 23-year-old youngster will occupy the No.3 spot in the batting lineup. 4. Shimron Hetmyer BRIDGETOWN, BARBADOS – FEBRUARY 22: Shimron Hetmyer of the West Indies celebrates reaching his century during the 2nd One Day International match between the West Indies and England at Kensington Oval on February 22, 2019 in Bridgetown, Barbados. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images) Shimron Hetmyer has already made waves in the cricketing world due to the immense power with which he strikes the ball. Hetmyer is a willow wielder who can clear any boundary in the world, and is a player blessed with immense talent and potential. The left-handed batting dynamite has already represented the West Indian side in 16 Tests, 47 ODIs, and 36 T20Is. He has scored 838 runs in the whites at an average of 27.93 and has also amassed 1447 runs in the ODI format of the game at a strike rate of 106.40. In T20I cricket, the left-hander has scored 539 runs. The 24-year-old is also a part of the Delhi Capitals’ side in the IPL. The West Indian has played 23 IPL matches and has scored 359 runs at a strike rate of 150.21. Hetmeyer has talent, he is capable of dismantling any bowling attack if he gets going, and is surely a cricketer on whom the West Indies can rely upon. 5. Ollie Pope England batsman Ollie Pope drives. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) Ollie Pope is only 23 but has already given indications that he is definitely a player to watch out for, especially in the Test format of the game. Pope is a batsman who is proficient off either foot and does not get ruffled so easily. He is a player who is willing to bide his time out in the middle, and these are extremely positive signs for England cricket. The 135* that he scored against South Africa in January 2020 is an example of how Pope can help his side out of troubled waters. The right-hander scored 18 fours and a six in that knock and shared a sensational 203-run partnership with Ben Stokes, and helped his side wallop the Proteas by an innings and 53 runs. He has played 19 Tests for England and has scored 882 runs at an average of 31.50. Pope has all the makings of a great batsman and has a plethora of challenges that lie ahead. And surely, England has found a youngster on whom they can rely upon in the toughest and most demanding format of the game. 6. Rishabh Pant (C and WK) Rishabh Pant’s fifty. (Photo by Surjeet Yadav/Getty Images) The man who will lead this extremely talented side is Rishabh Pant. Pant displays no fear when he is out in the middle and has already played several match-winning knocks for his side. His 159* at the Sydney Cricket Ground against Australia in 2019 helped the Indian side draw the 4th and final Test match and helped them win the series 2-1. Pant once again showcased his prowess a couple of years later in the land of the kangaroos, and scored a match-winning 89* against the Aussies at The Gabba, and helped his side chase down a challenging target of 328. The wicket-keeper batsman has played 21 Tests, 18 ODIs, and 32 T20Is for India. While he has scored 1403 runs in Test cricket, the 23-year-old has scored 529 runs in the ODI format of the game. In T20I cricket, the left-hander has scored 512 runs. Pant even donned the skipper’s hat for the Delhi Capitals side in the 14th IPL season, and the Delhi outfit finished at the top of the points table under his leadership when the IPL was suspended. The left-handed batting gladiator has played 76 IPL matches and has scored 2292 runs at an excellent strike rate of 149.80. 7. Washington Sundar Washington Sundar. (Photo Source: BCCI) Washington Sundar made his Test debut for India at The Gabba in Brisbane, with the series on the line and with the Indian side missing several of its regular players. And, this 21-year-old youngster showed no nerves and scored an excellent 62 on debut. Sundar’s classy knock under pressure helped the Indian side beat Australia with 3 wickets to spare in their own backyard. Sundar followed that up with two more fifties in the subsequent Test series against England at home earlier this year as well. Apart from his batting prowess, Sundar is a handy off-spinner who can bowl tight lines and stem the flow of runs, especially in limited-overs cricket. The Tamil Nadu player has represented India in 4 Tests, 1 ODI, and 30 T20Is. He is also an integral part of the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) side in the IPL as well. 8. Wanindu Hasaranga Wanindu Hasaranga bowling. (Photo Source: Getty Images) Wanindu Hasaranga has a number of tricks up his sleeve and has emerged as a potent weapon for the Sri Lankan side in limited-overs cricket with the ball in hand. The Sri Lankan boasts of excellent numbers in T20I cricket. The right-arm spinner has played 21 T20Is for his country and has scalped 33 wickets, at an incredible average of just 14.45. He has also represented Sri Lanka in 4 Tests and 26 ODIs as well. While he has scalped 4 wickets in Tests, he has also prized out 25 batsmen in the ODI format of the game. Hasaranga is also handy with the bat as well. The right-hander has scored 534 runs with the bat in ODI cricket and has even plundered 3 half-centuries as well. This 24-year-old is certainly a pivotal part of the Sri Lankan cricket team and a youngster with immense potential. 9. Sam Curran Sam Curran. (Photo Source: BCCI) Sam Curran is a cricketer whom every side would love to have, especially in limited-overs cricket. Curran can get the ball to move both ways, he can bowl accurate Yorkers and also vary his pace at the death. And, he can strike the lusty blows with the willow when the need arises as well. The 23-year-old has represented England in 21 Tests, 11 ODIs, and 16 T20Is. While he has taken 44 wickets in the whites, he has scalped 12 wickets and 16 wickets in ODIs and T20Is respectively. Curran is also a part of the Chennai Super Kings franchise in the IPL as well. In the 7 matches that he played in the 2021 IPL season, Curran picked up 9 wickets at a strike rate of just 16.67. 10. Rashid Khan Rashid Khan. (Photo by Tim Goode/PA Images via Getty Images) Rashid Khan is arguably the most talented youngster in world cricket at the moment. Khan is the most prized asset of Afghanistan cricket and is a bowler who can trouble any batsman in the world. The 22-year-old has generated mind-boggling numbers with the ball in limited-overs cricket. He is the 4th highest wicket-taker in the history of T20I cricket and has scalped 95 batsmen at an excellent average of just 12.63. In ODI cricket too, the leg spinner has picked up 140 wickets at an average of 18.57. Khan is also a regular in the IPL as well and renders his services to the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) franchise. He has played 69 matches in the IPL, has picked up 85 wickets, and has given away runs at an economy rate of just 6.24 in IPL cricket. 11. Shaheen Afridi Shaheen Afridi. (Photo Source: Twitter) The final name that will complete this team is Shaheen Afridi. The left-arm pacer can get the ball to move both ways, and also generate extra bounce off the deck as well. Afridi has represented Pakistan in 17 Tests, 28 ODIs, and 30 T20Is. While he has picked up 58 wickets in Test cricket, the 21-year-old has taken 53 and 32 wickets respectively, in ODIs and T20Is. Afridi has already taken 4 five-wicket hauls in international cricket. Afridi produced an excellent performance for his country in the 2019 fifty-over World Cup. In the 5 matches that he played, the left-arm fast bowler picked up 16 wickets and averaged just 14.63 throughout the competition. Afridi was the second-highest wicket-taker for Pakistan in the tournament after Mohammad Amir. Without doubt, the Pakistan cricketer is a player to keep an eye on in the years to come. Note: All the stats have been taken from Cricinfo, Cricbuzz, and Howstat cricket and have been updated as on 2nd August 2021

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Current best Under-25 XI in cricket

With the advent of so many T20 leagues in the world, several cricketing talents are spotted at a young age.

9. Sam Curran

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