Uthappa Highlights Emerging Cricket Stars for 2026 Tournaments

In an exciting revelation, former cricketer Robin Uthappa has spotlighted two young talents, Pratika Rawal and Tilak Verma, as players to watch in the upcoming 2026 cricket tournaments. Rawal, a batting sensation, is set to make a strong comeback after an injury, while Verma has already made a mark in T20Is. Their impressive statistics and potential for greatness make them key figures for Team India. Read on to learn more about their journeys and what lies ahead for these rising stars.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jan 1, 2026, 23:52 IST

Uthappa's Players to Watch

Former Indian cricketer Robin Uthappa has identified two promising talents in Indian cricket: young batting prodigy Pratika Rawal and the explosive Tilak Verma. Uthappa shared his insights during a segment on JioHotstar as Team India gears up for a challenging year ahead, aiming for three prestigious trophies: the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026, and the ICC U19 World Cup 2026. He remarked, "Pratika Rawal is someone to keep an eye on. After facing an injury during the World Cup, she is set to return in great form. I anticipate her breaking records and excelling. In men's cricket, Tilak Verma is my standout player; he is bound to achieve something remarkable."

Pratika Rawal: A Rising Star

Since making her debut last year, Pratika Rawal has participated in 24 ODIs, amassing 1,110 runs with an impressive average of 50.45. Her record includes two centuries and seven fifties over 23 innings, with a strike rate exceeding 82. In her inaugural women's World Cup, she was among the top scorers, accumulating 308 runs in seven matches at an average of 51.33, featuring a century and a fifty before an injury sidelined her from the semifinal and final.

Tilak Verma: The 'Extraordinary' Talent

Although Tilak Verma has scored only 68 runs in four ODIs, he has shone in T20Is, racking up 1,183 runs in 40 matches and 37 innings, boasting an average of 49.29. His achievements include two centuries and six fifties, with notable performances such as two centuries against South Africa in late 2024 and a composed 69* while chasing 147 against Pakistan in the Asia Cup final. Last year, he concluded with 567 runs in 20 matches and 18 innings in T20Is, averaging 47.25 with a strike rate of 129.15, including four fifties and a top score of 73.