Indian Premier League & India

opening pairs, retirement, the future...

Beyond India and its far-reaching diaspora, the Indian Premier League (IPL) remains a curious paradox, a tournament with more critics than fans, and more funds than entire national cricket boards. For the young lads, it’s a chance, no, a boyhood dream, to learn amongst their idols whether it’s in the nets, the dressing room, or over some chai. The tournament is an opportunity for them to stand out and etch their name in cricketing history. That too, on one of the biggest stages in the world. On paper, it’s irresistible.

But like many, I have my reservations about the IPL and my preference for red-ball cricket. Yet, this season, here I was, inevitably drawn in. Who could resist when a boy of just fourteen, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, strode out to open the batting and banged a century off just thirty-five balls? A child, barely older than the tournament itself, and 9 years younger than I, writing his own history under the floodlights, with the stars above him guiding his future.

We have seen with domestic T20 leagues like the IPL and SA20, nations ushering these bold youngsters into the national side. First-class cricket still matters, of course, but standing opposite the finest bowlers in the game is a fair measure of a young batsman’s mettle and ability to make a quick impact. Not long ago, Yashasvi Jaiswal was a boy turned man on this same stage, and now wears the baggy with assurance. Nitish Kumar Reddy, another, from a standout IPL 2024 to a magnificent century at the MCG in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Lhuan-dre Pretorious of South Africa may very well be next.

And now with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, legends of Indian cricket, officially calling time on their Test careers, India has decisions to make. Eyes will naturally be cast upon this year’s IPL, but again, red-ball/first-class experience matters more, so the chosen ones must be versatile and consistent.

This brings me to what I see as one of the best opening pairs of this year’s tournament: Sai Sudharsan and Shubman Gill

While other opening pairs in the IPL have come out bashing and swinging during the powerplay, Sudharsan and Gill have shown a composed, methodical approach that makes steep chases look entirely manageable. Their temperament echoes the discipline demanded by Test cricket: batting deep, rotating strike, running hard, and punishing the odd wide balls. But it’s not just smart cricket and good awareness, it’s their timing. The ball seems to effortlessly fly off their bat into gaps where there never seemed to be any. It’s a refreshing sight for the gentle eye in a contest that seems to have been reduced to slogging and all-out attack.

While Sudharsan has been the gem of this IPL, being labelled as “Mr. Consistent,” and is in contention for the most runs, Gill is being primed to captain India, leading Gujarat by example to the top of the IPL table. Though Gill’s form abroad is still developing, there’s no doubt about his leadership qualities. I think these two will be key in what promises to be a youthful and refreshing new era of Indian Test cricket. With Rohit Sharma’s opening spot up for grabs, I imagine the experienced KL Rahul will slot in at the top, but that still leaves a puzzle to solve in the rest of the top order.

News outlets already expect Sudharsan to get his maiden test call-up, which I think is well deserved. With a couple of stints at Surrey coming in the middle order, including a century against Nottinghamshire, he knows the English conditions well; they might as well have been made for him. Gill will either bat at 3 or 4, and I can see it working either way because while Sudharsan is an opener at heart, he is experienced down the order, and so India has the flexibility to play him wherever they want, and they should use this to their advantage.

With two playmakers retiring before a massive test series against England, it’s natural to feel a bit of grief. Personally, I thought Kohli would have retired after this tour, but when it’s time, it’s time. That said, India has never had a shortage of options; I just hope they choose the right ones.

It’s no question Gill will be leading the squad, if not as captain, then as deputy to Bumrah. Do you think Sai Sudharsan will find his way in? If so, where would you like to see him bat?