Cricket

The Indian Premier League (IPL) witnessed the triumph of Kolkata Knight Riders for the third time, as they outplayed Sunrisers Hyderabad by eight wickets. Amidst the tournament's excitement, several young cricketers emerged as standout performers, showcasing their exceptional skills and potential.Jake Fraser-McGurk:The Australian opener, playing for Delhi Capitals, impressed with his fearless batting in his debut IPL season. Despite being a late addition to the team, Fraser-McGurk amassed 330 runs at a remarkable strike rate of over 234 in nine games. His performances earned him a spot as a traveling reserve for Australia's T20 World Cup squad.Abhishek Sharma:The 23-year-old left-hander played a pivotal role in Sunrisers Hyderabad's run to the final. In 16 games, he scored 484 runs with a strike rate of over 200, forming a formidable opening partnership with Travis Head. Abhishek's contributions extended to his left-arm spin, as he claimed two wickets against Rajasthan Royals to help Hyderabad reach their third IPL final.Will Jacks:The English all-rounder earned a place in England's World Cup squad on the back of his impressive performances for Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Jacks showcased his devastating batting skills, scoring a century off just 41 balls against Gujarat Titans. His partnership with Virat Kohli, where he surpassed the former captain's score, was a testament to his talent.Tristan Stubbs:The South African finisher emerged as a key player for Delhi Capitals, despite the team's disappointing sixth-place finish. Stubbs recorded the highest ever IPL strike rate for at least 100 runs in the final overs, with a staggering 297.33. His unbeaten 25-ball 57 against Lucknow Super Giants showcased his ability to close out games.Matheesha Pathirana:Known as "Baby Malinga" for his slinging action, the 21-year-old fast bowler impressed for Chennai Super Kings. Pathirana claimed 13 wickets in six games before a hamstring injury cut short his IPL campaign. His ability to choke runs in the final overs drew comparisons to the legendary Sri Lankan bowler Lasith Malinga.These young cricketers have demonstrated their immense potential and are poised to make a significant impact on the upcoming T20 World Cup. Their performances in the IPL have not only earned them recognition but also paved the way for them to represent their countries on the global stage.

Former Indian cricket legend Dilip Vengsarkar has urged young aspiring cricketers to prioritize Test cricket, emphasizing its significance in establishing true cricketing honor. Vengsarkar believes that while T20 leagues offer fame and financial rewards, the traditional format of Test cricket remains the ultimate test of a player's skill and endurance.Vengsarkar, a member of India's 1983 World Cup-winning team, expressed concern that parents are often swayed by the allure of T20 leagues, neglecting the importance of red-ball cricket. He stressed that young players should focus on developing their skills in Test cricket, which would ultimately benefit them in all formats of the game."Parents are overawed with the success of IPL, its teams, and players," said Vengsarkar. "But the focus of young players should only be on red-ball cricket, which would also help them do well in other formats."Vengsarkar, who played a pivotal role in bringing Virat Kohli into the national team as chief selector, emphasized the equal importance of bowlers in all formats of the game. "Bowlers also have a big role to play not just in the IPL but also Test cricket," he said. "They can be match-winners. Try to play Test cricket for your country. If you are a good Test cricketer, you can play other formats of the game.""You will be rated only by what you have done for the country in Test cricket," Vengsarkar added. "IPL is a good format, it is good entertainment, and it also meets the finances, which is also very important, but Test match cricket is the ultimate."Cricket coach Jwala Singh, who has mentored young talents like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Prithvi Shaw, echoed Vengsarkar's sentiments. He emphasized the crucial role of parents and coaches in nurturing young cricketers."When you play any sport, there are three pillars: the player, the parents, and the coach," said Singh. "It has to be a combined effort of all three, and that is what this book is about."Singh cautioned parents against being overly ambitious for their children, driven by the fame and financial rewards of T20 leagues. He advised them to focus on fostering their children's passion for the sport and providing them with the necessary support and guidance."If a child has passion (for the sport) and it continues for (a number of) years, that is how it will work out," he added.