Nitish Kumar Reddy, Abhishek Sharma and Akash Deep

NEW DELHI: Indian cricket is at the crossroads of a new era, as 2024 saw a series of farewells to iconic players and the rise of young talent eager to leave their mark. With veterans like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja, and Ravichandran Ashwin stepping away from various formats, the team faced the daunting challenge of rebuilding while maintaining its winning momentum.
Head coach Gautam Gambhir offered an optimistic perspective, emphasising performance as the ultimate criterion. “Indian cricket’s transition is in safe hands as long as there are honest people in the dressing room. The only criterion to be in that dressing room is performance,” he said during a pre-match press conference in Sydney.
Former coach Lalchand Rajput echoed the sentiment, acknowledging the inevitability of change. “There will always be a transition period. All big teams go through it. Some players will retire at the same time, and there will be new players coming in. The transition will be very smooth,” he assured during an exclusive chat with Timesofindia.com.

Amid a packed calendar of 44 matches in 2024, where India won 30, lost 10, tied three, and drew one, ten players debuted across formats, each showcasing glimpses of the future. Their performances varied, but their presence symbolised a promising path forward for Indian cricket.
Here’s how the 10 Indian debutants fared last year:
Nitish Kumar Reddy
Nitish Kumar Reddy emerged as a standout performer in his debut year. His Test debut during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy was a revelation, marked by a stunning century against Australia in Melbourne. With his ability to contribute with both bat and ball, Reddy showcased the temperament of a seasoned cricketer.
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Sarfaraz Khan
Sarfaraz Khan brought solidity to India’s middle order, registering two fifties on his Test debut against England and a commanding 150 against New Zealand. His ability to anchor the innings while accelerating when needed bodes well for the team’s future.

Akash Deep
Akash Deep made his presence felt with his ability to swing the ball effectively. Debuting against England, he picked up 15 wickets across seven Tests, showcasing his potential to become a mainstay in India’s pace attack.

Abhishek Sharma
Abhishek Sharma brought flair and aggression to India’s T20I setup. His swashbuckling century against Zimbabwe highlighted his explosive batting style, complementing his utility with the ball.

Riyan Parag
Riyan Parag proved himself a capable all-rounder, delivering impactful performances with both bat and ball. His three-wicket hauls in T20Is and ODIs underlined his ability to contribute in multiple roles.
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Dhruv Jurel
Wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel showed promise with a gutsy 90 in Tests and reliable performances behind the stumps, adding depth to India’s bench strength in the wicketkeeping department.

Harshit Rana
Harshit Rana debuted during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, grabbing four wickets in his first two Tests. His ability to generate bounce and pace makes him an exciting prospect.

Mayank Yadav
Mayank Yadav impressed in T20Is, delivering impactful spells, including four wickets in three matches against Bangladesh.

Tushar Deshpande
Tushar Deshpande made his T20I debut during the Zimbabwe series, picking up two wickets and showing glimpses of his potential.

Ramandeep Singh
Ramandeep Singh’s debut against South Africa was a modest start, but his aggressive batting style offers potential for development.
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As Indian cricket transitions from a golden generation, these ten players are stepping up to fill the void. Their performances in 2024 provide a glimpse of a promising future, ensuring Indian cricket remains competitive on the global stage.