India’s cricketing future looks brighter than ever, with a generation of dynamic young talents rising rapidly through the ranks. Former cricketers Robin Uthappa and Anil Kumble recently reflected on the depth of India’s player pool and the exciting possibilities it offers for the national team going forward.
Speaking on JioHotstar, Robin Uthappa highlighted the remarkable transformation of Sai Sudharsan. Once criticized for his slow scoring and even retired out during IPL 2024, Sudharsan has since reinvented himself. Without altering his technique drastically, the left-hander refined his shot selection, boosting his strike rate from the 130s to an astonishing 170 and finishing IPL 2025 as the Orange Cap winner.
“Sai’s evolution has been phenomenal. From being tactically retired out last season to now dominating bowling attacks — it’s all come down to smarter decision-making at the crease,” Robin Uthappa said. “He’s now firmly in the three-format conversation for India, alongside names like Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal. These are the kind of players who can carry Indian cricket into the next decade.”
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With the T20 World Cup 2026 around the corner, Anil Kumble believes the biggest challenge for Indian selectors won’t be a lack of options, but rather choosing the right mix from a surplus of talent.
“We’re in a great place with so many high-caliber players,” Anil Kumble said. “Guys like Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh, and Vaibhav Suryavanshi have put their hands up after impressive IPL seasons. Then there are the more established names — Gill, Jaiswal, Sudharsan, Sanju Samson — already staking claims.”
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Anil Kumble emphasised the importance of player fitness ahead of major tournaments, adding, “You want your best 15 on the park, and for that, ensuring everyone’s at peak fitness is crucial. We have the talent — now it’s about preparation and making the right calls.”
With this depth, India’s bench strength is arguably among the best in the world, and if managed well, could translate into long-term dominance across formats.
