2019 - Youngsters XI for Tests

The exuberance of youth has always created ripples in the world of cricket. Everyone remembers a young and bubbly Virat Kohli making his debut in 2008. The rest, as they say, is history. There is something about the current set of youngsters across nationalities that excites cricket enthusiasts like never before. There are batsmen who have created a name for themselves at a young age. And then, there are bowlers who are eating five-wicket hauls for breakfast.

Kagiso Rabada, in particular, had been the best bowler across formats in 2018. He made the ball do the talking and tormented batters across the globe. As far as the batsmen are concerned, 2018 had Virat Kohli's name written all over it. With centuries in England, South Africa, and Australia, he became the modern-day run machine. But quite interestingly, there were a lot of youngsters who made their presence felt.

Who can forget Kusal Mendis' herculean effort? It was an innings for the legends to narrate. Also, not to forget Hardik Pandya's heroics at the Trent Bridge in Nottingham - An effort that saw him scoring an unbeaten 50 and picking up a fifer in England's first innings to lay the foundation for a famous Indian victory.

With the international cricketing calendar getting jam-packed with each passing minute, it certainly would be no hyperbole to say that cricket is a young man's game. 2018 saw many young players taking giant strides in the world of cricket. Here's a look at eleven youngsters who can take on the world if they join forces.

The criteria for selection is the player's performance for his national side in 2018.

But before going into the actual XI, let us take a look at some notable mentions which missed out marginally:

1) Duanne Olivier (South Africa)

2) Shai Hope and Kyle Hope ( both of them from the West Indies)

3) Shaheen Afridi (Pakistan)

4) Hanuma Vihari (India)

5) Marcus Harris (Australia)

6. Rashid Khan (Afghanistan)

The Openers:

Tom Latham (New Zealand) - wk

His form in 2018 had been nothing short of extraordinary. Latham's scintillating show with the bat across formats has had a direct impact on New Zealand's consistent run in 2018. His monumental 264 not out against Sri Lanka in December 2018 saw him carrying his bat. That knock ended up earning him a lot of fans across the globe. He could also act as the wicket-keeper of the side.

Tests: 6

Runs: 658

Average: 59.8

100s: 2

Best: 264

Prithvi Shaw (India)

His exploits against the Windies in his debut series were exceptional

The pocket-sized dynamo from India took the cricketing world by storm when he played a pivotal role in helping the Indian U-19 team lift the World Cup. He created a lot of ripples after scoring a century on debut against the West Indies. A sound technique, an aggressive mindset, and the hunger to go big, Shaw has all the traits to make it big on the international level. Given his talent and young age, he'd surely be Indian cricket's next big thing.

Tests: 2

Runs: 237

Average: 118.5

100s: 1

Best: 134

The Middle Order

Babar Azam (Pakistan)

Azam had been consistent throughout 2018

Pakistan's Mr. Dependable. The colour of the jersey doesn't matter. He'd keep scoring runs with wickets falling around him. A sound technique coupled with a level-headed approach has made Babar Azam an integral part of Pakistan's batting order. It is only a matter of time before he makes his way into the record books.

Tests: 10

Runs: 616

Average: 56

100s: 1

Best: 127 not out

Kusal Mendis (Sri Lanka)

He is Sri Lanka's All-format player

He was the second-highest run scorer in Test match cricket in 2018, behind only Virat Kohli. Kusal Mendis kept on piling the runs even though his side did not manage to get favourable results. A match-saving partnership with Angelo Mathews against New Zealand in December last year pulled-off a hard-fought draw for the Lankans. He can mix caution with aggression and can play the long innings when needed.

Tests: 12

Runs: 1023

Average: 46

100s: 3

Best: 196

Shimron Hetmyer (West Indies)

Shimron Piled on the runs against the Indians in late 2018

He has been an exciting young prospect for the Windies. In an era where players from the Caribbean are busy playing for Twenty20 franchises across the globe, Shimron Hetmyer comes as a breath of fresh air. His exploits against the Indians in late 2018 in coloured clothing earned him a lot of fans.

Tests: 5

Runs: 376

Average: 37.6

100s: 0

Best: 93

The All-rounders

Hardik Pandya

The Impact Player

He couldn't contribute much with the willow in hand, but his performance with the red cherry in hand was reasonably good. In Hardik Pandya, the Indians have found a genuine all-rounder. An indifferent batting form wouldn't worry him much as long as he keeps contributing in some form or the other.

Tests: 8

Runs: please add

Wickets: 13

100s: 0

5 wicket hauls: 1

Sam Curran

England's wonder-boy in 2018

Sam Curran stamped his authority right from the word go. It would be no overstatement to say that he was the difference between the two sides when the Indians toured England in mid-2018. He was effective, both with the ball as well as the bat. The 20-year-old showcased excellent temperament against a spirited Indian bowling attack in 2018. With the kind of talent he possesses, he can make his presence felt in all three formats of the game for the Three Lions.

Tests: 7

Runs: 404

Average: 36.7

100s: 0

Wickets: 14

Best: 78

The Seamers

Hasan Ali (Pakistan)

Ripping them apart

Energetic, powerful, and lively, Hasan Ali has all the traits a fast bowler craves for. He can clock speeds in excess of 140 km/hr with ease. Also, when he bowls line and length and moves the ball, he becomes a lethal weapon. He hasn't been at his lethal best, but one can hope that the best is still in store for Hasan Ali.

Tests: 6

Wickets: 22

Average: 26.09

5 wicket hauls: 1

Best: 5/45

Kagiso Rabada (South Africa)

The New speedster on the block

How can this list be complete without the number 1-ranked bowler in Test match cricket? Kagiso Rabada has spearheaded South Africa's pace attack in the absence of Morne Morkel and Dale Steyn. He can bowl express pace irrespective of the conditions on offer and can make the batsmen hop and jump. At 23, he is one of hottest properties in the world of cricket.

Tests: 10

Wickets: 52

Average: 20.07

5 wicket hauls: 2

Best: 6/54

Jasprit Bumrah (India)

The Wrecker-in-Chief

Jasprit Bumrah's consistency across formats has turned him into one of the most dreaded fast bowlers in the world at present. He has a myriad of tricks under his kitty and can bowl the slower ball, the off-cutter, and not to forget, the toe-crushing yorker as well.

Tests: 9

Wickets: 48

Average: 21

5 wicket hauls: 3

Best: 6/33

The Only Spinner

Akila Dhananjaya (Sri Lanka)

Making life difficult for the batters

Not the best spinner in the world at present, but definitely an exciting player keeping in mind the future. Akila Dhananjaya has showcased occasional glimpses of his brilliance, but consistency is something that has eluded him ever since he started his international career.

Tests: 5

Wickets: 27

Average: 24.25

5 wicket hauls: 3

Best: 6/115

The Additional Wicketkeeper (if needed)

Rishabh Pant

Rishabh Pant's century at the Oval in the 5th and final Test match of the series against England threw ample light on the 22-year-old's caliber and ability. Having Rishabh Pant in place of either Pandya or Curran would provide the batting department with additional firepower.

His never-say-die attitude and the ability to execute the big shots right from the word go make him a valuable addition. Also, he's no novice behind the stumps and has plucked some exceptional catches in his short career thus far.