The Indian Premier League (IPL) is fast becoming the new training ground for young Indian cricketers, offering invaluable lessons in Test cricket from global legends right on home soil.
Beyond T20: A Commitment to Test Cricket
Despite the T20 format’s dominance, a refreshing trend is emerging among current Indian cricketers: a deep-seated commitment to Test cricket. Far from being disinterested, today’s players are actively seeking to hone their skills for the game’s toughest format.
From Yashasvi Jaiswal’s dedication to Jasprit Bumrah’s workload management, there’s a clear emphasis on reserving their best for Tests. This generation retains the same ‘old values’ of valuing Test cricket as highly as their predecessors.
Jaiswal and Root: The ‘Joeswal’ Partnership
At Rajasthan Royals, young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal famously spent countless hours with England captain Joe Root. Their bond was so strong, Jaiswal earned the nickname ‘Joeswal’. Royals’ boss Kumar Sangakkara noted how Jaiswal “never left Joe’s side,” soaking up advice on cricket and life.
Root was a brilliant mentor, and Jaiswal, a quick study, absorbed everything. Their discussions weren’t limited to T20 strategies; they delved into the broader aspects of the game, highlighting a genuine hunger for knowledge.
Pace Pointers: Learning from Aussie Legends
Indian pacers Akash Deep and Nitish Kumar Reddy also leveraged the IPL to gain expert advice. Akash Deep relentlessly sought out Australian star Josh Hazlewood at RCB, learning the simple yet effective mantra of sticking to one’s strengths and waiting for batsmen to err.
Similarly, Nitish Kumar Reddy, captained by Pat Cummins at SRH, sought secrets for taking wickets in England. Cummins offered a clear tip: understand the conditions during warm-ups and replicate that in the game. This fundamental advice proved effective for Reddy at Lord’s, where a slight movement of the semi-new ball delivered results.
Spinning Wisdom: Kuldeep Yadav and Kevin Pietersen
Even during the IPL, all-format players like Kuldeep Yadav prioritize their red-ball skills. He reportedly carried a red ball and trained with it, ensuring he was ready for Test opportunities. With Kevin Pietersen as Delhi Capitals’ mentor, Kuldeep seized the chance to get a detailed breakdown of every English batsman he might face.
“We went through each batsman, one by one,” Kuldeep revealed, emphasizing the depth of his preparation. This level of dedication, even amid the busy IPL schedule, speaks volumes about his commitment to Test cricket.
IPL: The Modern County Stint
In the past, players would travel to play county cricket in England to gain experience and adapt to different conditions. Today, the IPL has transformed into a similar, highly effective learning environment. With top international players and coaches converging in India, invaluable knowledge and wisdom are now readily available to young Indian cricketers.
The world’s best have come to India, and players are eagerly embracing this unprecedented access to top-tier cricketing intellect. The IPL isn’t just about entertainment and T20 skills; it’s a vibrant ecosystem where Test cricket excellence is being nurtured and developed.
- The IPL provides an unparalleled platform for Indian players to learn from global cricket legends.
- Young cricketers like Jaiswal, Akash Deep, and Reddy are actively seeking mentorship for Test cricket skills.
- Players are demonstrating strong commitment to Test format, integrating red-ball training into their busy schedules.
- The accessibility of top-tier cricketing wisdom makes the IPL a de facto modern-day “county stint.”
This trend highlights a positive future for Indian Test cricket, built on a foundation of continuous learning and dedication.
