There is no denying the fact that Indian star cricketers Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will be saying goodbye to the international cricket within a year or two and soon we will be looking for a new Indian cricketing star or in other words – the GOAT. If we look at the current generation, there are some very talented cricketers who have displayed great character and recently former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar opened up on this matter.
Sanjay Manjrekar anticipates a fierce rivalry between young cricketers Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal as they contest for the title of India’s next cricketing great in the post-Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma era. With Yashasvi Jaiswal establishing himself as India’s preferred Test opener and Shubman Gill holding a key role in the ODI squad, including the vice-captaincy, both the players have showcased their potential on different fronts.
However, Yashasvi Jaiswal is yet to receive consistent opportunities in limited-overs cricket, while Shubman Gill himself has acknowledged that his Test performances have not yet lived up to the expectations, particularly in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 in Australia.
Before India’s series against Australia, Sanjay Manjrekar had identified both Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal as the nation’s brightest prospects for the future. He believes that their careers will be marked by a healthy competition, with time revealing who emerges as the more dominant player. He further praised Yashasvi Jaiswal’s approach to Test cricket, emphasising his hunger for runs and ability to convert starts into big scores. According to Manjrekar, Yashasvi Jaiswal’s knack for playing with patience and his adaptability to foreign conditions make him a strong contender for greatness.
While Shubman Gill continues to thrive in white-ball cricket, Yashasvi Jaiswal is yet to prove his mettle outside of Test matches. However, Manjrekar remains confident that Yashasvi Jaiswal has the necessary skills and will make his mark when given the chance. Both the players are part of India’s squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against England, set to begin in Nagpur.
Former India cricketer Sanjay Bangar also weighed in on the discussion, suggesting that Yashasvi Jaiswal shows early signs of being the next big star in Indian cricket. He drew parallels between the current generation and the emergence of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in 2013, noting that both Gill and Jaiswal have made an impressive start to their international careers. According to Bangar, if Jaiswal maintains his fitness and continues to display his strong temperament, he has the potential to become one of India’s leading run-scorers and match-winners in the years to come.
Who according to you will be the next Indian cricket star – Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal or any other cricketer? Share your opinion with us.
