When it comes to international matches between two countries, it seems like nobody really pays attention. Yet, I keep getting approached by random folks asking if I'm doing commentary for the IPL.

It's pretty remarkable how this tournament resonates with Indian fans, even those who aren't die-hard cricket enthusiasts.

We're just over a week into IPL 18, and my biggest takeaway so far is witnessing the young players shine, quickly stepping into the spotlight of the world's premier T20 league.

These young talents might have only played a few senior domestic games, but they come in and perform like seasoned T20 international stars. It's honestly impressive.

Take Aniket Verma from Sunrisers Hyderabad, for example. He had only played one match in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and mostly competed at the junior level until now. Yet, he steps onto the big T20 stage and delivers two outstanding innings. After a solid debut with 36 runs against LSG, he followed it up with a stunning 74 against DC, facing an all-international bowling attack that left us in awe.

He handled both pace and spin with ease, showcasing a powerful pull shot off Mitchell Starc and taking on Axar Patel as well. When Kuldeep Yadav came in to bowl, I was eager to see how he would fare against a spinner who is quite different and arguably better than most. As it turned out, he handled Kuldeep just as impressively.

Nitish Kumar Reddy's recent stint in Australia, along with Aniket Verma, highlights the incredible talent pool that India has to offer.

Nitish Kumar's performance down under showcased what a polished product from the Indian cricket system looks like. When you compare this to Pakistan, the difference becomes clear.

Indian players typically come equipped with most essential batting skills, although they might struggle a bit with swing bowling, which is something they can only really face and hone in places like England and New Zealand.

Cricket is immensely popular in India, and every aspiring young athlete dreams of becoming a cricketer, drawn by the allure of fame and substantial rewards after a tough journey.

While other countries might have 50 young talents competing for a single position, in India, that number skyrockets to 500. So, when you secure a spot, you’re likely to be truly exceptional.

Talent can be found all around us

When it comes to the teams showcasing this talent, no single team has really outshined the others in this IPL season.

MI celebrated their first win of the season against KKR, and they must be thrilled that their bowlers played a key role in securing that victory.

RR, under the temporary leadership of Riyan Parag, made a strong impression with their first win against CSK. Parag stands out to me; his confidence is unmatched. He chose Sandip Sharma to bowl the crucial 20th over, even though he had Jofra Archer available. It was a smart decision for Indian conditions, but a tough one given Archer's reputation.

Mohammed Siraj is now with GT, and I loved his vibe when he showed up for the match against MI; he seemed happy and at ease, like someone eager to prove himself.

With Ashish Nehra by his side, I believe Siraj will thrive in the right environment and work his way back into the Indian team.

Speaking of GT, there's something unique about Sai Sudharsan. He really stands out; he can anchor the innings while maintaining a strike rate of 140, which is a sign of a special player.

The first week of IPL has also shown us that Nicholas Pooran, much like a prime AB de Villiers, seems to be on another level altogether.

So far, he’s had two innings in this IPL: one was a stunning 75 off 30 balls against DC, and the other was 70 off just 26. He’s been the standout batter of the IPL by a significant margin, but you wouldn’t know it from the media coverage surrounding the tournament..

CSK and Dhoni

A final thought revolves around some concerns regarding CSK and their connection with Dhoni. Even the most devoted fans can sense what's going on beneath the surface.

If we look back at CSK from a decade ago, they would have easily clinched their last match against RR with two overs left. Why? Because Dhoni was a decade younger. I stand by this point—if Dhoni is still stepping onto the field at this late stage in his career after three IPL games, he might as well lead the team.

It's clear that his fitness and batting abilities have declined, and he’s aware of it too, which is why he comes in late during innings.

His exceptional cricketing intellect and leadership are timeless, and CSK should make the most of that. I just can’t understand why they wouldn’t want to capitalize on it.

Read Also: Critics Warn Against Pressuring MS Dhoni Amid Fresh Retirement Rumors

Get the latest Bollywood entertainment news, trending celebrity news, latest celebrity news, new movie reviews, latest entertainment news, latest Bollywood news, and Bollywood celebrity fashion & style updates!

HOW DID YOU LIKE THIS ARTICLE? CHOOSE YOUR EMOTICON!