Rahul Dravid, the head coach of the Indian men’s cricket team, has always been a staunch advocate of nurturing young talent. Following a recent IPL match, his comments spotlighted a bright future for Indian cricket, as he heaped praise on several emerging Indian batters who have made significant impressions this season. Dravid, speaking after a thrilling contest, remarked, “We’ve seen some abilities. Even today, the batting that Jaiswal did, Vaibhav did, Dhruv Jurel did. There’s a lot of Sanju, Riyan today. We have a lot of young, good Indian batsmen. They’ll be even better in a year.”
His words reflect more than just admiration; they signal a hopeful transition for Indian cricket, especially in the T20 format. With the next T20 World Cup looming in 2026, these performances are not just about the present, but potentially shaping India’s core unit for future international tournaments.
Yashasvi Jaiswal has been one of the standout names in this IPL season. Known for his aggressive style and fearless approach, Jaiswal has built a reputation as a top-order enforcer who can dismantle any bowling lineup. His consistency and maturity beyond his years have earned him widespread applause, and Dravid’s comments further reinforce the belief that Jaiswal could be a long-term opening solution for India in white-ball formats.
Vaibhav Arora, a relatively quiet performer compared to the others, showed composure and technique that caught the eye. Though he’s better known for his bowling, his handy lower-order batting effort in pressure situations did not go unnoticed. It’s this kind of all-round capability that adds depth to a T20 side and strengthens a team’s resilience in close contests.
Dhruv Jurel, on the other hand, has blossomed into a dependable middle-order batter. He has shown exceptional game awareness, shot selection, and an ability to rotate strike or go big depending on the match situation. For someone so young, his temperament under pressure has stood out, and coaches like Dravid understand how vital such traits are when building a championship-caliber squad.
Sanju Samson and Riyan Parag, who are slightly more seasoned than their peers, also received a special mention. Sanju, with his flair and calm leadership, continues to be a central figure in his franchise’s batting plans. Meanwhile, Riyan Parag has finally started to convert his immense potential into match-winning performances. Once viewed as a promising youngster who hadn’t quite delivered, this season has seen Parag grow in confidence and responsibility.
Dravid’s remark that these batters will be “even better in a year” is not just an encouraging statement—it’s a clear message that the pipeline of Indian batting talent is healthy, and that the investment being made in the domestic circuit and IPL is bearing fruit. The depth and variety among young Indian batters give the national team selectors a rich pool of talent to choose from as they plan for future global tournaments.
In a tournament known for unearthing new stars, it’s always reassuring for fans to hear a seasoned voice like Dravid validate the promise of India’s next generation. With such young guns firing on all cylinders, the future of Indian cricket looks not only exciting but exceptionally bright.