SMAT 2025: The hunt for India's next-generation pacers is on

Shreyasi

Auqib nabi and Gurjapneet Singh [Source: X/@bashhh_36, X/@Ben10Brevis]Auqib nabi and Gurjapneet Singh [Source: X/@bashhh_36, X/@Ben10Brevis]

Indian cricket is currently undergoing a significant transition, moving toward a new core group across formats. Over the years, whenever there was a crisis of reserves on the national side, the domestic pipelines came to the rescue. 

This time too, tournaments like the Ranji Trophy, Vijay Hazare Trophy, and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy are expected to help the selectors unearth the next generation of players for Indian cricket.

Indian cricket team: The transition across formats

As is evident, the change is most prominent in Test cricket following the recent departure of stalwarts like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Cheteshwar Pujara from the international stage. The team is still working to fill the gaps with the promising youngsters like Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal emerging as the next generation of superstars. However, they are far away from the impact the veterans used to have.

 On the contrary, India’s T20 team currently looks in better condition with youngsters like Abhishek Sharma already making an impact at big stages like the Asia Cup. Tilak Varma has also established himself in India's T20 set-up.

Requirement of a second-line pace attack

However, across all formats, there is a constant need to identify additional pace bowlers to strengthen the team's depth. With regular sppedsters facing workload problems and potential injury crisis, developing a reliable reserve pace battery has become a priority for Indian cricket.

As Mohammed Shami is gradually fading from the international reckoning, India's fast-bowling responsibility across formats primarily rests on the shoulders of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj.

In the T20I, India seem to have found a reliable option in Arshdeep Singh, the highest wicket taker for India in this format. Other pace options, such as Harshit Rana and Prasidh Krishna, are yet to solidify their places in the team despite showing promise.

SMAT 2025: Crucial platform to find next pace attack

As the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy begins today, the Indian team management has a significant opportunity to identify promising young pacers for the national squad. 

White ball audition for Akash Deep

Akash Deep has established himself as one of the primary backup bowlers for India in the longest format. Whenever he has been given opportunities, he has made a significant impression. One of his standout performances came against England at Edgbaston when he delivered a match-winning 10-wicket spell.

With already 28 wickets in 10 Test matches, he is yet to debut in any of the white-ball formats. In the last four First Class matches after the England series, he took 10 wickets, maintaining his consistency. A strong performance for Bengal in the SMAT 2025 could further elevate his profile and fast-track his selection in the T20Is.

Gurjapneet Singh showcasing left-arm advantage

Gurjapneet Singh is another medium pacer who has been in the news over the last couple of seasons despite not making his India debut. The Tamil Nadu pacer has consistently delivered impressive performances for his state side, as well as during the India-A opportunities.

Being a left-arm seamer is also an advantage for Gurjapneet, who picked up 7 wickets in the recently concluded Rising Star Asia Cup with an average of 17.42 and at an economy rate of 8.13. His consistent good showings at the domestic and India-A levels indicate that he is a player to watch for future selections in both national and franchise cricket.

Auqib Nabi: The domestic numbers that need attention

The 29-year-old Auqib Nabi from Jammu & Kashmir started making noise with his Ranji Trophy performance this year by claiming 29 wickets in five matches. Nabi also played 27 T20 matches, picking up 28 wickets.

As morning shows the day, Nabi’s good start in SMAT 2025 already establishes him as a promising raw pace talent. His formidable partnership with another speedster from Jammu & Kashmir, Umran Malik, could help Nabi in his quest for the national side.

Vijaykumar Vyshak, the death over specialist

Vijaykumar Vyshak has experience of 28 First Class matches and 44 T20 matches, including 16 games in IPL for Royal Challengers Bangalore and Punjab Kings with 53 wickets to his name.

Vyshak is an expert in death bowling, and his heroics were on display as his wide Yorkers helped Punjab Kings secure an important win over Gujarat Titans. He was part of the touring Indian team T20 to South Africa in 2024, but did not make his debut. A good SMAT could potentially open the doors for him in the Indian team.