Predicting 3 uncapped Indian stars who could make their international debut in 2026 ft. Vaibhav Suryavanshi

Indian cricket heads into another season with the hope of establishing itself as the dominant force across formats. While the marquee names continue to be the major star attractions, occasionally even beyond team results, the paradigm of cricket in India has slowly shifted in recent years.

With the IPL and other domestic competitions gaining more traction, younger players are dominating the headlines more than ever. The year 2025 saw a seismic shift of sorts when the Punjab Kings (PBKS), spearheaded by several uncapped young Indian players, were powerhouses throughout the IPL season.

The message to Indian cricket was loud and clear: Uncapped Indian players are ready to go to battle with the big boys of international cricket. Thus, it would be no surprise if a few youngsters dominating the domestic stage don the Indian jersey in one or more formats in 2026.

On that note, here are three such uncapped Indian stars who could be first in line to make their international debut this year.

#1 Vaibhav Suryavanshi

The 'Vaibhav Suryavanshi storm' reached unfathomable heights last year, thanks to the 14-year-old grabbing the Indian audiences out of nowhere. Initially seen as an investment for the future by the Rajasthan Royals (RR), the teenager warmed the benches in the first half of IPL 2025.

However, persistent injuries to skipper Sanju Samson meant Suryavanshi was thrown into the ocean to open the batting. The youngster more than swam himself out of it with unbelievably flying colors, scoring 252 runs in seven outings at an average of 36 and a strike rate of over 206.

Suryavanshi's 35-ball century against the Gujarat Titans (GT), the second-fastest in IPL history, was his coming-out party, and everything since has only re-emphasized the point that this young man is here to stay.

The southpaw has scored several other record-breaking centuries since the IPL heroics across both white-ball formats. Several former Indian cricketers, including Kris Srikkanth, have urged the management to include Suryavanshi in the T20I side.

Hence, it would be little surprise if the youngster walks out to open the batting in a bilateral T20I series later this year, following the 2026 T20 World Cup. Lest we forget, the Abhishek Sharma wave started similarly, when he debuted in a Zimbabwean tour after India's 2024 T20 World Cup triumph.

Indian fans will hope for a similar World Cup victory, followed by a potential Abhishek Sharma 2.0 arrival sometime this year.

#2 Vipraj Nigam

If Vaibhav Suryavanshi is potentially the next Abhishek Sharma, Indian cricket might look to build its own version of Rashid Khan through 21-year-old all-rounder Vipraj Nigam. Despite boasting the best T20I side in the world, the Men in Blue have a tinu bug occasionally plaguing them.

Their best bowlers, particularly wrist spinners, cannot be counted on to use the long handle in the lower order. It has led to India often benching even Kuldeep Yadav to enhance their batting depth up to No.8.

While the overall strength of the team has masked this issue, India would be well-served to identify a wrist-spinner with batting ability. It makes Vipraj a frontrunner to earn his T20I cap in short order, given his impressive IPL debut in 2025.

The 21-year-old excelled with bat and ball in IPL 2025, finishing with 11 wickets at an average of 32.36, while adding 142 runs at a strike rate of almost 180, in 14 matches.

An identical or even better IPL 2026 season could make Vipraj an enticing option at No.8, similar to the role Rashid Khan plays for Afghanistan - Wrist-spinner cum lower-order tonker.

#3 Auqib Nabi

There is no one more deserving of an Indian cap when it comes to the bowling department than Jammu & Kashmir's Auqib Nabi. The 29-year-old enjoyed a 2025 season for the ages across formats, forcing fans and experts to take note of the up-and-coming pacer.

Nabi is the second leading wicket-taker of the ongoing 2025-26 Ranji Trophy with 29 scalps in five matches at an average of 13.27, including three 5-wicket hauls. The youngster further showcased his versatility across formats by thriving in the recent 2025-26 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT), finishing with 15 wickets at an average of 13.26 in seven outings.

Nabi is off to a solid start in the ongoing VHT with five wickets in four games at an average of under 28. Given India's recent history of injuries among the fast bowlers and the steady decline of all-format seamers in the country, Nabi could be in line for an international debut as early as 2026.

Edited by Venkatesh Ravichandran