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Uthappa's 2026 Picks: Pratika Rawal & Tilak Varma Set to Dominate Cricket

Former cricketer Robin Uthappa has identified two rising stars as key players for India's 2026 campaign. He highlighted women's batting sensation Pratika Rawal, who boasts an impressive ODI average over 50, expecting a strong comeback from injury. For the men's team, Uthappa picked hard-hitting batter Tilak Varma, praising his exceptional T20I form and clutch performances. Both players are seen as crucial assets as India aims for three ICC trophies in 2026.

Key Points: Uthappa's Players to Watch: Rawal & Varma for 2026

  • Pratika Rawal's stellar ODI average
  • Tilak Varma's T20I prowess
  • 2026 ICC Trophy targets
  • Post-injury comeback for Rawal
  • Varma's clutch performances
2 min read

Uthappa reveals two promising youngsters as Indian men's, women's cricketers to watch out for in 2026

Robin Uthappa names women's star Pratika Rawal and men's talent Tilak Varma as India's key players to watch leading into the 2026 World Cups.

"Pratika Rawal... will come back... smashing a few records. Tilak Verma... kuch gazab hi krega. - Robin Uthappa"

Mumbai, January 1

Former Indian cricketer Robin Uthappa picked young women's batting sensation Pratika Rawal and hard-hitting number three Tilak Verma as Indian players to watch out for this year.

Uthappa was speaking on JioHotstar as Team India enters a new year, with three big trophies to win: the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026, and the ICC U19 World Cup 2026.

Speaking on JioHotstar's 'Follow the Blues', on his players to watch out for, Uthappa said, "Pratika Rawal. She faced an injury during the WC and will come back into the play with a good form. Looking forward to her coming in and smashing a few records, doing exceptionally well. In men's cricket, Tilak Verma, my standout player, kuch gazab hi krega (will do something extraordinary)."

Since her debut last year, Pratika has played 24 ODIs, scoring 1,110 runs at an average of 50.45, with two centuries and seven fifties to her name already in 23 innings, scoring her runs at a strike rate of over 82. In her debut women's WC last year, she was amongst the run-getters with 308 runs in seven matches and six innings at an average of 51.33, with a century and a fifty before an injury caused her to miss the semifinal and final.

Tilak, while he has scored just 68 runs in four ODIs with a fifty, Tilak has been exceptional in T20Is, with 1,183 runs in 40 matches and 37 innings at an average of 49.29, with two centuries and six fifties, with his standout performances being two centuries against South Africa away from home in 2024-end and a calm, composed 69* while chasing 147 against Pakistan in the Asia Cup final.

Tilak finished the last year with 567 runs in 20 matches and 18 innings in T20Is, at an average of 47.25, with a strike rate of 129.15, including four fifties and best score of 73.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
So happy to see a women's cricketer getting highlighted alongside the men! Pratika Rawal's stats are already phenomenal. Wishing her a strong comeback from injury. The women's team needs her firepower for the T20 World Cup.
V
Vikram M
 "Kuch gazab hi karega" – Uthappa's words show the belief in Tilak. But let's not put too much pressure on these youngsters. They need time and space to grow, not just hype. Hope the selectors manage them well.
S
Sarah B
As a new fan of women's cricket, I'm excited to follow Pratika's journey. An average over 50 in ODIs is world-class. Hope she gets the same media coverage and opportunities as the men.
R
Rohit P
Three World Cups in one year! 2026 is going to be massive for Indian cricket. We need both these players in top form. Tilak for the middle-order stability and Pratika to anchor the women's innings. Jai Ho!
K
Kavya N
Good analysis. But I feel there are other youngsters too who deserve a mention, especially in the women's team. The focus shouldn't be only on one or two players. A team wins tournaments, not individuals.

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