Past South Africa goalkeeper-batter and coach Mark Boucher has set his sights on the future of world cricket, naming four young players he believes are destined to become global stars. speaking during ESPNcricinfoBoucher, of the popular “25 Questions” segment, was asked to identify three young men who could dominate the game in the coming years. Instead, the former Proteas stalwart found it impossible to limit himself to just three, eventually choosing an intriguing quartet of talent, naming two Indians and many Proteas young guns.
Mark Boucher picks star Indian duo as next big thing
Boucher’s inclusion of two Indian corpses underscores the remarkable depth of talent emerging from the subcontinent when he goes with it. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Tilak Varma. Considered a once-in-a-generation prospect, Jaiswal quickly established himself across formats. From humble beginnings in age-group cricket, the left-hander made a seamless transition to the highest level, winning plaudits for his composure, temperament and hunger for big scores. His ability to dominate bowling attacks in Test cricket while maintaining an aggressive edge in limited-overs formats has marked him as a long-term pillar of India’s batting order.
Jasiwal’s career in numbers:
- 28 Tests | 2511 runs | 7 hundred | 13 fiftieth
- 23 T20Is | 723 runs | 1 hundred | 5 fifty
- 4 ODI | 171 runs | 1 hundred
Tilak, meanwhile, represents the batter of the modern T20 era who thrives under pressure. Through the Mumbai Indians system, the left-hander has gone from a groomed, reliable middle-order presence to a genuine match-winner for India. His composure at crunch time and his ability to accelerate without taking undue risks have seen him rise rapidly through the T20I rankings and earn a reputation as one of India’s most reliable young finishers.
Tilak’s career in numbers:
- 40 T20Is | 1183 runs | 2 hundred | 6 fifty
- 5 ODI | 68 runs | 1 fifty
Boucher names an intriguing pair of Proteas to complete his list
On the South African front, Boucher named two players he has known well since his time with the national team – Tristan Stubbs and Devald Brewis. It’s worth noting that Stubbs has carved out a niche as a versatile batter who can fit into multiple roles. Whether he is playing innings in red ball cricket or finishing games in T20s, Stubbs’ versatility makes him an invaluable asset. His athletic background and strong technique have allowed him to easily fit into different formats and cemented his reputation as a modern all-format player.
Stubbs’ career by the numbers:
- 14 Tests | 759 runs | 2 hundred | 3 fifty
- 42 T20Is | 822 runs | 2 fifty
- 15 ODI | 392 runs | 1 hundred | 3 fifty
Brevis, often nicknamed “Baby AB” for his shooting ability, is the strongest talent among the four. Known for his fearless approach, Brevis has already put in eye-catching performances in T20 cricket, clearing boundaries with ease and breaking records at a young age. His clean hitting and confidence against elite bowling attacks have positioned him as one of the most exciting white-ball prospects in the world.
Brevis’ career by the numbers:
- 4 Tests | 138 runs | 2 fifty
- 19 T20Is | 469 runs | 1 hundred | 1 fifty
- 9 ODI | 230 runs | 1 fifty
