Especially when it comes to T20s, teams are now starting to introduce youngsters quickly on the international stage. This format requires fearlessness and youngsters brought up in this T20 era arrive readymade. Even in the bowling department, youngsters are groomed keeping the shortest format in mind and hence, they need less time to get used to the format. Here, we take a look at the best active under-25 T20 XI picking one player from each nation.
Note: We have picked players aged under 25 as of February 5th, 2023.
Openers: Finn Allen (WK) (NZ) and Shubman Gill (IND)
Finn Allen and Shubman Gill will open the batting for this best active under-25 T20 XI picking one player from each nation. While Finn Allen is known for his big-hitting, Gill is popular for his game-construction and his game against the spinners.
Finn Allen replaced Martin Guptill in the playing XI for New Zealand. He has had a solid start to his career and the experience of Devon Conway and Kane Williamson around him has helped the player. On the other hand, many doubted Gill’s credentials in the T20 format but he has put the doubts to rest with a century against the Kiwis recently.
Middle-Order: Najmul Hossain Shanto (BAN), Sherfane Rutherford (WI) and Tristan Stubbs (SA)
The middle-order is an issue for this squad. Yes, there are some solid options such as Harry Brook and Ishan Kishan but for the balance of this XI, we cannot have them. At No.3 and No.4, Shanto and Rutherford form the core of this middle-order. While Shanto is a part of the Bangladesh setup, Rutherford is currently out of it and will need to do well domestically to make a return.
South Africa has some talented youngsters such as Dewald Brevis, Tristan Stubbs and Marco Jansen. For this XI, the best fit was Stubbs, who would don the role of a finisher.
All-Rounders: Cameron Green (AUS) and Sam Curran (ENG)
It will be a stunning all-rounder unit comprising Cameron Green and Sam Curran for this best active under-25 T20 XI picking one player from each nation. England and Australia have consistently produced good pace-bowling all-rounders to the game.
The next era of the best products from this category also looks to belong to them. While Green has lit up with his batting skills, Curran recently won the Player of the Tournament award at the 2022 T20 World Cup.
Bowlers: Rashid Khan (C) (AFG), Shaheen Afridi (PAK), M Theekshana (SL) and Josh Little (IRE)
Of course, Rashid Khan will lead this team. At 24, he already has loads of experience and is now seen as a leader. With him in the spin attack will be Maheesh Theekshana from Sri Lanka. The youngster has already surprised many with his mystery and accuracy.
Shaheen Afridi and Josh Little will form the core of the pace attack for this squad. Afridi has been around for a while now and it is surprising that he is still 22. For a player from an associate nation, Josh Little has been terrific. He will further get exposure with his IPL 2023 contract with the Gujarat Titans.
