- April 30, 2025
If you blinked during the recent CSK vs PBKS match, you probably missed the ball clearing the ropes and landing on the top tier of the pavilion. Seriously. It’s 2025, and Indian cricket is in beast mode. The era of youngsters being careful, nudging singles, and waiting for one bad ball is over. This generation of cricketers has every player walking out to the crease with the intent of hitting every ball for a boundary. And nowhere was this more evident than in the frantic match-up between Chennai Super Kings and Punjab Kings. They hardly care about what their reputation is, these kids are playing like they invented T20 cricket.
Gen Z Batters Don’t Respect Reputations—And That’s a Good Thing
Do you remember a time when batters would show respect to older bowlers and they would ‘build their innings’? That manual has been tossed after watching PBKS (or was it an onslaught)? Who could sit up and take notice? The uncapped duo—Prianj Sharia and Prap Simran. Both early 20s, both barely a handful of IPL games, and both looking like heroes against one of the most experienced bowling line-ups in the whole league.
Their mentality is what is refreshing. They don’t fear failure as they were able to grow up watching, decoding, and emulating modern greats on YouTube. A six isn’t a risk to them, it’s the plan A. Their strike rates not only intimidate they also frighten. When Prianj recorded a 35-ball century earlier in the season, it wasn’t an outlier- it was a sign of what’s to come. And against CSK, their intent was on full show. Every ball was an opportunity to go big rather than to get by.
Credit Where It’s Due: Management That Lets Youngsters Breathe
IPL franchises seldom trust two uncapped openers to see through an entire season, but PBKS appears to be onto a code—selecting talent, backing it, and staying out of the way. A good chunk of this credit must go to Captain Shreya Sahir and head coach Ricky Ponting. They haven’t micromanaged; they have just created an atmosphere to be fearless.
The outcome? Independence. Even when Prianj and Prap Simran got out cheaply in earlier games, they were not benched or asked to change their approach. And that mental security has delivered high-risk, high-reward innings that have transformed Punjab’s season.
But there is a twist. Prap Simran, arguably older, is being prompted to add situational awareness to his game of explosive shots. As one commentator suggested, come May, when pitches slow down and temperatures rise, PBKS will require him to bat with stability at times. That blend of aggression and situational awareness might be the next progression to his already exciting skill set.
A New T20 Blueprint: Mindset > Technique?
What this season shows us is that technique matters little. Instead, what defines this new generation of Indian batters is their mentality. They are not here to occupy the crease, they are here to take charge! They have passed the fear of failure long ago. What we are witnessing now is the impact of belief. These players know that a score of even 30 from 10 can change the match, and they are mentally programmed to create impact at any given time.
This was a very apparent mindset at CSK v PBKS. PBKS didn’t view CSK as defending champions; they viewed them no differently than any other opponent. The pitch didn’t matter, the pressure didn’t matter, and other players’ reputations didn’t matter. It was all about intent. Every shot was intentional; every over was a battle that PBKS were determined to win.
So, here’s a thought to end with: If this is the skill set and mindset, we’re currently seeing from uncapped youngsters now. what the heck will Indian cricket look like in five years from today?
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