Riyan Parag, Abhishek Sharma picked as Irfan Pathan identifies future Indian superstars after IPL 2024 success

Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan has named a few uncapped Indian players who will be the future stars of the Indian team. 

Irfan Pathan covered the entire Indian Premier League 2024 edition as a commentator and expert analyst with Star Sports. The former Indian cricketer observed each and everything that unfolded this season. One of the best things about him was that he kept it very honest and upfront about the players he saw this season. 

While Irfan Pathan had criticized the captaincy skills of Hardik Pandya, he also made sure to appreciate the likes of Rishabh Pant and Riyan Parag among others. Pathan will now be seen doing analysis with Star Sports for the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 in the USA and West Indies, starting from June 1st.    

Irfan Pathan names Abhishek Sharma, Nitish Reddy, and Harshit Rana among others 

Irfan Pathan took to X (formerly Twitter) and named the uncapped Indian players who will take international cricket by storm in the future.

Pathan named Sunrisers Hyderabad opener and all-rounder Abhishek Sharma and Nitish Reddy. KKR seamer Harshit Rana, LSG speedster Mayank Yadav, and Rajasthan Royals' Riyan Parag as the players to watch out for. 

Abhishek Sharma's name is quite obvious given the kind of season he had in IPL 2024. The left-hand batter crossed the 400-run mark for only the 2nd time in his Premier League career and the first time since the 2022 season when he had amassed 426 runs. This season he racked up 484 runs from 16 matches at a daunting strike rate of 204.22 with 3 half-centuries to his name. 

As for Nitish Reddy, the fast bowling all-rounder scored 303 runs from 13 matches at a strike rate of nearly 143 and with the ball, he collected 3 wickets at a high economy rate of 11.6. 

Kolkata Knight Riders' Harshit Rana also proved to be a major revelation as he played a key role in the franchise's 3rd IPL title triumph. He had an impressive 19-wicket season from 13 matches for KKR at an economy of 9.08 and an average of 20.16 with a best of 3/24. 

Mayank Yadav did blow up into the scene out of nowhere due to his raw pace which saw him bowl at 150ks regularly but his season got marred with injuries. 

Last but not least, 2024 IPL's 3rd highest run-getter Riyan Parag. Much like Harshit and Abhishek, Parag experienced his best-ever season, scoring 573 runs from 15 matches at a strike rate of 149.22 with an impressive average of 52.09. His campaign included 4 half-centuries and had a best of 84*. 

"Now that IPL is done my view on few Indian domestic players. Riyan parag and Abhishek sharma from batting prospective. Looks good & on the bowling front Harshit Rana looks ready for the next level. Mayank Yadav is another one who is going to make it big but important to have patience and good process with him. Nitish ready looks good from all rounder front," Irfan Pathan wrote on X.  

Now that IPL is done my view on few Indian domestic players. Riyan parag and Abhishek sharma from batting prospective. Looks good & on the bowling front Harshit Rana looks ready for the next level. Mayank Yadav is another one who is going to make it big but important to have…

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) May 27, 2024