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Talent is something that the Indian cricket team has never lacked. Be it the extraordinary team of the 2000s which had greats like Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Saurav Ganguly, and VVS Laxman to name a few or the current Virat Kohli's fearless side who have made it a routine to dominate oppositions.
As the domestic circuit continues to unearth prodigious talents, the future is in safe hands. However, the bigger worry is to choose the right set of players from the exceptionally long list of talented contenders.
On that note, let us now have a look at a possible future Indian XI of players who are currently under the age of 25.
Openers
Washington Sundar
The 18-year old Washington Sundar is enjoying a meteoric rise. After impressing for the India under-19 side, he was drafted in as a last-minute replacement by the Rising Pune Supergiant for an injured Ravi Ashwin. In a promising IPL season, he picked up 8 wickets in 10 innings in a stunning economy of 6.17.
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He is no slack with the bat either, actually being a batting all-rounder and has a couple of tons already at the domestic level- including a fine century in the Ranji Trophy recently.
His elegant batting is a treat to watch and he occupies the opening slot in this XI.
Washington Sundar continues to make strong statements for the selectors and it is only a matter of time before the teenager from Tamil Nadu makes the cut.
Batting Statistics
Bowling Statistics
Prithvi Shaw
The 17-year-old prodigy Prithvi Shaw fills the slot for the second opener. The Mumbaikar has been hyped up as one for the future and some have even hailed him 'the next Sachin Tendulkar'. Shaw shot into prominence when he smashed a record 546 in a Harris Shield match in Mumbai.
That knock made people take notice of the precocious teen to such an extent that Shaw earned a bat deal with SG - worth thirty-six lakhs. The Mumbaikar made his Ranji debut in 2017, smashing a century in his very second innings and also slammed a ton on his Duleep Trophy debut - a record he now shares with Tendulkar.
The fact that the 17-year-old was recently overlooked to represent the India under 19 side in the junior Asia cup because he was too good to play at that level sums up the enormous talent this youngster possesses. Instead, he played for Board President's XI against New Zealand and also scored a brilliant 66 of 80 balls, forcing Kiwi bowler Trent Boult to heap praise on him. He is clearly one for the future.
Batting Statistics
Middle-order
Shreyas Iyer
He's been knocking on the doors of national selection for a while now and why not. Shreyas Iyer is considered as one of the best players India has produced since Virat Kohli. His incredible record in the Ranji Trophy is well-documented. After finishing his maiden Ranji season for Mumbai as its top run-getter (809 at 50.56), he followed it with a stunning 2015-16 Ranji season where he heaped up 1321 runs from 11 matches at an average of 73.38 and a wonderful strike rate of 92.70.
Alongside his terrific record at the domestic level, solid performances in the IPL and for the India A side has made him one of the most exciting players in the country.
Batting statistics
Shubman Gill
This 18-year-old teen prodigy has been playing one majestic knock after another for the India under-19 side. The young batsman who is being mentored by Rahul Dravid is in a league of his own when compared to his fellow under-19 players.
He also believes that he is in the same mould as Virat Kohli and would like to emulate the Indian captain. He is definitely a player to watch out for in the near future.
Batting Statistics
Wicketkeeper
Rishabh Pant
Rishabh Pant is an excellent talent and though only 20 years of age, he is already in contention for national selection. Pant came into the reckoning after his exploits in the 2016 under-19 World cup, his stunning 24-ball 74 being the highlight of his hard-hitting skills.
Pant has showcased his potential with promising performances in the IPL and the domestic circuit. The young batsman has now become a mainstay of the India A side and is on track to repeat the feat with the senior side as well. He is also a fine wicket-keeper and could be Dhoni's long-term successor.
Batting Statistics
All-rounders
Hardik Pandya
He is one player who belongs to the IPL breed, exuding confidence, fearlessness and the ability to take on the bowlers. His hard-hitting skill has made him an integral part of Mumbai Indians over the past few years and the flamboyant all-rounder from Baroda has now taken the international circuit by storm.
Hardik Pandya, the new superstar of Indian cricket has had a meteoric rise to the top. He's been seen as India's answer to the world's premier all-rounders like Ben Stokes and Chris Morris.
Batting Statistics
Bowling Statistics
Axar Patel
The 23-year old Axar Patel is already a part of the India limited overs squad and could become one of the mainstays in the future. The all-rounder from Gujarat's claim to fame was the 2014 edition of the Indian Premier League. He backed up his IPL form with fine performances in the domestic circuit.
The 2014 IPL's 'Emerging Player of the Year' has been in and out of the national side since then. The youngster has an accurate, wicket-to-wicket left-arm spin bowling and is handy with the bat as well.
Batting Statistics
Bowling Statistics
Deepak Hooda
The 22-year old lad has an excellent ability to clear the fence with ease. After a making a name for himself in the under-19 circuit and for Rajasthan Royals, he was snapped by Sunrisers Hyderabad for a hefty sum of 4.2 crores in the 2016 IPL auctions.
Hooda is also a useful bowler, who bowls off-breaks and is in the mould of Yuvraj Singh. He has produced decent performances in the Ranji Trophy and for India A and could soon be challenging for a spot in the Indian side.
Batting Statistics
Bowling statistics
Spinner
Kuldeep Yadav
This lion-hearted chinaman has spun his way through the ranks and looks set to achieve greatness. From his exploits in the 2012 under-19 World Cup to have cemented his place in the India limited-overs set-up, Kuldeep has gone from strength to strength.
He belongs to the unique breed of left-arm wrist spinners, thus bringing an edge to any side he bowls for. The 22-year-old chinaman is a special talent and manages to grab the specialist spinner slot in this India under-25 XI.
Bowling Statistics
Pacers
Jasprit Bumrah
Bumrah is India's answer to some of the world's premier death-over specialists. With an effective Lasith Malinga-style action, perfect yorkers and a handy slower delivery, this pacer from Gujarat has an arsenal of weapons.
His exploits for Mumbai Indians had caught the attention of the cricketing fraternity. An India call-up wasn't prolonged and he made the most of his opportunities, sealing his place in the limited overs side. He is only 23 and is on track to become one of the best bowlers of our generation.
Bowling Statistics
Basil Thampi
The ability of the pacer from Kerala to bowl consistently at speeds exceeding 140 kmph translated in a chance to play in the Indian Premier League. He was signed by Gujarat Lions for 85 lakhs - which turned out to be a bargain in the end as the young pacer picked up 11 wickets in 12 matches.
Moreover, former Australian pacer Glenn McGrath has hailed him as India's brightest pace bowling prospect. It might be too early to predict if Thampi would become India's premier pace bowler, but the 24-year-old is definitely on the right path.
Bowling Statistics
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