In the ACC Emerging Men’s Cup 2023, India A finished as the runners-up to Pakistan A. What set India’s performance apart was their commitment to promoting young talent, fielding a truly “emerging” squad without any players having previous experience at the senior level. The team’s average age was below 21, and they had the least List A experience compared to other participating teams.
While the final result was not in their favour, the tournament provided an excellent platform for several players to showcase their potential and make a strong case for selection in the national talent pool. Among the notable performers were five players who consistently stood out throughout the competition.
1. Nishant Sindhu
Nishant Sindhu, a 19-year-old left-arm spin-bowling allrounder, demonstrated his brilliance in domestic cricket during his short career. In the semi-final against Bangladesh A, he displayed exceptional control and guile, resulting in impressive figures of five wickets for 20 runs as Bangladesh stumbled from a strong position to a modest total of 160 runs.
Although he had a relatively subdued Ranji Trophy season, he showed promise in white-ball cricket with steady performances in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy. Sindhu is also part of the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL, earmarked as a future talent with potential for a more significant role.
2. B Sai Sudharsan
B Sai Sudharsan, a 21-year-old opener from Tamil Nadu, proved the importance of the tournament for young talents who narrowly missed making it to the India Under-19 team. With an attacking style of play, Sudharsan scored 221 runs in five innings at a strike rate of 99.09, including a brilliant unbeaten century against Pakistan A in the league fixture.
He also made a significant impact in the IPL for Gujarat Titans, earning praise for his batting performances. Although Sudharsan’s short-ball game needs refinement, he has shown immense potential and could be a player to watch out for in the future.
3. Rajvardhan Hangargekar
Seam-bowling all-rounders are a rarity in India, and Rajvardhan Hangargekar’s promising performances with both bat and ball showcased his utility in the team. His ten wickets in four games included a memorable five wickets for 42 runs against Pakistan A in the league stage and crucial dismissals in the final.
Hangargekar faced a setback due to an age-fraud violation, but his limited-over skills have impressed the Chennai Super Kings team management, considering him a valuable project for the future.
4. Harshit Rana
Another bowling allrounder, 21-year-old Harshit Rana caught the attention of Kolkata Knight Riders, who signed him at the IPL 2023 auction. Rana’s raw pace and ability to generate steep bounce on docile pitches, coupled with glimpses of his batting prowess, make him a player with significant potential.
While his returns in the Emerging Men’s Cup weren’t extraordinary, his selection itself is an indication that the selectors see promise in him. Rana’s progress and consistency will be crucial in his journey towards becoming a dependable player for the national team.
5. Abhishek Sharma
Abhishek Sharma belongs to the rare category of top-order batters who can also contribute significantly with the ball in limited-overs cricket. He has successfully transitioned to being an opener and Is a consistent run-scorer for Punjab in domestic cricket.
Abhishek’s clean striking ability and adaptability against both pace and spin were on display during the Emerging Men’s Cup, where he scored 221 runs in five innings. Although he had a relatively moderate IPL season for Sunrisers Hyderabad, his performances in the domestic circuit and emerging tournament highlight his value as a reliable allrounder.
In conclusion, India A’s performance in the ACC Emerging Men’s Cup 2023 might have resulted in the runners-up position, but the tournament provided a crucial platform for young talents to make a strong case for future national selections. These five players, along with others in the squad, have shown immense potential, and their progress will be closely monitored by the national selectors as they continue to develop their skills and stake a claim for higher honours.
