Young stars who stole the spotlight in 2025
The 2025 season belonged to the next wave of Indian cricketers. Some arrived on the international stage after blazing domestic and IPL campaigns, others converted franchise faith into eye-catching performances. Here are five youngsters whose records, big innings and fearless striking made them the talk of the year.
1 | Abhishek Sharma — the T20 powerhouse
Abhishek Sharma turned 25 in 2025 and established himself as one of India’s premier T20 performers. A left-handed batting all‑rounder who represents Punjab domestically and Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL, Sharma produced a breakthrough international year.
- T20I World No.1 (batting) — he became the youngest Indian to top the men’s T20I batting rankings, reaching a rating of 931.
- Asia Cup Player of the Tournament — 314 runs in seven innings made him the highest run‑scorer in the event.
- Record innings — smashed 135 off 54 balls against England, the highest individual T20I score by an Indian.
- IPL fireworks — blasted 141 off 55 balls against Punjab Kings, the highest IPL score by an Indian batter.
- Closed the year with 1,115 T20I runs and crossed 100 T20 sixes in a calendar year.
Sharma combined power and timing with a maturing game sense, making him a genuine match‑winner in franchise and international T20 cricket.
2 | Vaibhav Suryavanshi — the teenage sensation
At just 14, Vaibhav Suryavanshi became a household name in 2025. The left‑handed top‑order batter from Bihar burst onto the big stage with fearlessness that belied his age.
- Youngest IPL debutant — made history for Rajasthan Royals on 19 April 2025, debuting at 14 years and 23 days.
- Youngest T20 centurion — hit an IPL century in 35 balls against Gujarat Titans, becoming the youngest-ever T20 centurion and the second‑fastest hundred in IPL history.
- Domestic dominance — scored 190 off 84 in the Vijay Hazare Trophy against Arunachal Pradesh, becoming the youngest List A centurion and breaking the record for the fastest 150 in the format.
- His early auction price and a national youth honour reflected the buzz around his potential.
There’s a rare combination of fearlessness and shot‑making in Suryavanshi’s game; managing his workload and development will be key as he grows through domestic and franchise cricket.
3 | Ayush Mhatre — graft, power and a high strike rate
Ayush Mhatre emerged as one of the season’s most exciting all‑round prospects. The Mumbai batter, who had already made his first‑class debut in the Irani Cup, turned heads across formats.
- Ranji Trophy highlight: a career‑best 176 against Maharashtra.
- Vijay Hazare heroics: 181 off 117 against Nagaland — the youngest player to score 150+ in senior men’s List A cricket.
- IPL route: initially unsold, he joined Chennai Super Kings as an injury replacement and scored 240 runs in seven innings at a strike rate close to 189.
- Also produced a T20 century in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and was handed India U‑19 captaincy for the 2026 U‑19 World Cup.
Mhatre’s blend of first‑class temperament and T20 firepower makes him a valuable asset across formats; his rapid IPL strike rate showed he can perform under pressure at the top level.
4 | Priyansh Arya — a heavy hitter with a quick eye for runs
Left‑handed opener Priyansh Arya announced himself in the IPL with a debut season full of intent. A product of Delhi cricket, Arya’s long hitting and consistency in domestic T20s earned him a big franchise price.
- Signed by Punjab Kings for ₹3.8 crore before IPL 2025.
- Finished his debut IPL season with 475 runs in 17 matches — the highest tally by an uncapped Indian in a debut campaign.
- Produced a 39‑ball century against Chennai Super Kings — the second‑fastest IPL hundred by an Indian.
- Known for six‑hitting, he once hit six sixes in an over in the Delhi Premier League and had been Delhi’s top scorer in the 2023–24 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
- Earned a Ranji Trophy call‑up later in 2025, showing his progress across formats.
Arya’s power and ability to convert starts into big scores make him a natural fit for the IPL; the next step will be translating that impact into longer formats and potential international recognition.
5 | Abhigyan Kundu — the youth ODI double‑century-maker
Abhigyan Kundu announced himself at the U‑19 level with a truly breathtaking innings. The Mumbai wicketkeeper‑batter became the center of attention during the Under‑19 Asia Cup.
- Unbeaten 209 off 125 against Malaysia — the first Indian to score a double century in Youth ODIs and the highest individual score by an Indian in the format.
- Shared a 209‑run fourth‑wicket partnership with Vedant Trivedi after India were 85/3, turning the match decisively.
- Finished the tournament as India’s leading run‑scorer with 276 runs at an average of 138.00 and served as India U‑19 vice‑captain.
Kundu’s double ton was not just big in numbers but also in timing — it came on a stage where U‑19 performances are closely watched by selectors and franchises alike.
Looking ahead
These five players represent different pathways: international breakthroughs, IPL acceleration, domestic domination and youth international milestones. If 2025 was any indication, India’s talent pipeline is deep and varied. The real test for each youngster will be consistency, fitness management and learning to handle expectations as they move into bigger roles.
Fans should expect to see these names frequently across domestic seasons, franchise cricket and national age‑group or senior teams — and likely more records to come.