Brian Lara, the legendary left-hander, named six young Indian batsmen who impressed him the most in an interview with Hindustan Times. IPL has unearthed some of the most promising talents who have gone on to serve Indian cricket, especially in limited-overs cricket.
IPL 2020 in the UAE is no different as youngsters have stepped up to not only ease the burden on the international stars, but at times they have even surpassed them with their performance in pressure situations by delivering with bat and ball.
Brian Lara Loves Sanju Samson’s Ability, And Suryakumar Yadav Is One Of His Favourites While Mentions Devdutt Padikkal Has A Lot Of Potential
Sanju Samson was the first name that Brian Lara took. The Rajasthan Royals wicket-keeper batsman set the tournament on fire by hitting 16 sixes in the first two matches of RR. He, however, lacked the consistency as the tournament progressed. He scored 375 runs in 14 matches with 21 fours and 26 sixes.
“I love Sanju’s ability, but I’m not sure I love the way he bats all the time. He has got tremendous ability, tremendous timing. He is an unbelievable player in terms of what his potential and range is, and the heights he can reach,” Lara said.
The Mumbai Indians right-hander batsman Suryakumar Yadav has so far scored 461 runs in 15 matches at an average of 41.90 scored at a strike rate of 148.23 with the final match remaining.
“Suryakumar Yadav has become one of my favourites. If your best player is not an opener, he has to bat at No.3. He can repair the damage if Mumbai lose an early wicket and continue the onslaught if he has to. I have enjoyed watching him play in this IPL,” Lara said.
RCB’s highest run-scorer of the season Devdutt Padikkal was the next on Brian Lara’s list.
“Padikkal has a lot of potential. I would like to see him change a few things though. Ultimately when I judge a batsman, I don’t want to see him play only the IPL or T20s, I want to see him play Test cricket as well.
“Padikkal will have to work a lot on his technique to survive in Test cricket. When there are three slips and a gully, and when there’s a man waiting for the hook shot. Maybe he has it. Maybe he is only playing his T20 version of the game and has a game for the longer version as well,” Lara added.
Devdutt Padikkal finished 6th in leading the run-scorers list with 473 runs in 15 matches averaging 31.53.
Brian Lara Names KL Rahul, Priyam Garg And Abdul Samad As Other 3 Batsmen
Kings XI Punjab captain and still the Orange Cap holder of IPL 2020 was named by Brian Lara even though the West Indies great admitted that he is now an established international cricketer. He scored 670 runs averaging 55.83 in 14 matches with a century and 5 fifties and has been picked in all 3 formats squad for the Australian tour.
“KL Rahul for sure. I’ve always said he’s so good, what more can I say about him,” Lara said.
Former India U-19 captain and Sunrisers Hyderabad batsman Priyam Garg too managed to grab Brian Lara’s attention. The right-handed batsman scored 133 runs in 14 matches.
“I think Priyam Garg has a lot of potential,” added Lara.
Jammu and Kashmir all-rounder Abdul Samad made his IPL debut this year for SunRisers Hyderabad for whom he scored 111 runs and took 1 wicket. He was one of the surprises picks in Brian Lara’s list of most impressive young Indian batsmen of IPL 2020.
Brian Lara missed some prominent Indian young batsmen though like Ishan Kishan of Mumbai Indians and Shubman Gill of Kolkata Knight Riders along with Ruturaj Gaikwad of Chennai Super Kings.
Among Indian young bowlers, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Shivam Mavi, Ravi Bishnoi and T Natarajan have impressed most in this IPL 2020.