Former South Africa wicketkeeper-batter and coach Mark Boucher has cast his eye firmly on the future of world cricket, naming four young players he believes are destined to become global stars. Speaking during ESPNcricinfo’s popular “25 Questions” segment, Boucher was asked to identify three youngsters who could dominate the game in the years to come. Instead, the former Proteas stalwart found it impossible to limit himself to just three, eventually picking a quartet of exciting talents, naming two Indians and as many Proteas young guns.
Mark Boucher picks the star Indian duo as next big thing
Boucher’s inclusion of two Indian batters highlights the remarkable depth of talent emerging from the subcontinent as he went with Yashasvi Jaiswal and Tilak Varma. Jaiswal, widely regarded as a once-in-a-generation prospect, has rapidly established himself across formats. From humble beginnings in age-group cricket, the left-hander has seamlessly transitioned to the highest level, earning praise for his composure, temperament, and hunger for big scores. His ability to dominate bowling attacks in Test cricket while maintaining an aggressive edge in limited-overs formats has marked him out as a long-term pillar of India’s batting order.
Jasiwal’s career in numbers:
- 28 Tests | 2511 runs | 7 hundreds | 13 fifties
- 23 T20Is | 723 runs | 1 hundred | 5 fifties
- 4 ODIs | 171 runs | 1 hundred
Tilak, meanwhile, represents the modern T20-era batter who thrives under pressure. Groomed through the Mumbai Indians system, the left-hander has grown from a reliable middle-order presence into a genuine match-winner for India. His calmness in crunch moments, coupled with the ability to accelerate without undue risk, has seen him rise quickly in the T20I rankings and earn a reputation as one of India’s most dependable young finishers.
Tilak’s career in numbers:
- 40 T20Is | 1183 runs | 2 hundreds | 6 fifties
- 5 ODIs | 68 runs | 1 fifty
Boucher names exciting Proteas pair to complete his list
On the South African front, Boucher named two players he knows intimately from his time in the national setup – Tristan Stubbs and Dewald Brevis. Notably, Stubbs has carved out a niche as a versatile batter capable of adapting to multiple roles. Whether anchoring an innings in red-ball cricket or finishing games in T20s, Stubbs’ flexibility makes him an invaluable asset. His athletic background and strong technique have allowed him to slot seamlessly into different formats, reinforcing his reputation as a modern all-format player.
Stubbs’ career in numbers:
- 14 Tests | 759 runs | 2 hundreds | 3 fifties
- 42 T20Is | 822 runs | 2 fifties
- 15 ODIs | 392 runs | 1 hundred | 3 fifties
Brevis, often nicknamed “Baby AB” for his shot-making flair, is arguably the most explosive talent among the four. Renowned for his fearless approach, Brevis has already produced jaw-dropping performances in T20 cricket, clearing boundaries with ease and breaking records at a young age. His clean striking and confidence against elite bowling attacks have positioned him as one of the most exciting white-ball prospects in the world.
Brevis’ career in numbers:
- 4 Tests | 138 runs | 2 fifties
- 19 T20Is | 469 runs | 1 hundred | 1 fifty
- 9 ODIs | 230 runs | 1 fifty
Also READ: SA20 2026: Full list of commentators and presenters at South Africa’s explosive T20 cricket league
