South African cricket legend and current Mumbai Indians head coach Mark Boucher has named four young cricketers whom he believes will dominate the international stage in the coming years. Interestingly, his list did not include Indian batting prodigy Shubman Gill, a player widely touted by fans and pundits as the next big thing in global cricket. Boucher’s assessment, revealed in a recent interaction with cricket analysts, reflects his sharp eye for technical and mental attributes needed to excel at the highest level.
The four names Mark Boucher chose
Mark Boucher, who has played 147 Tests and 295 ODIs for South Africa, is known for his pragmatic, results-oriented mindset. His list of future stars includes:
- Dewald Brevis (South Africa)
- Harry Brook (England)
- Tristan Stubbs (South Africa)
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Afghanistan)
Let’s delve deeper into each cricketer’s journey and why Boucher sees them as future global icons.
Dewald Brevis: ‘Baby AB’ with fearless flair
Nicknamed ‘Baby AB’ for his stroke-making resemblance to AB de Villiers, Dewald Brevis has already made waves with his performances in the SA20 and Indian Premier League for Mumbai Indians. Boucher praised his fearless intent, innovative batting, and mental resilience under pressure despite his age.
“Dewald’s ability to adapt and innovate is incredible for someone so young. He has the confidence of AB but must keep working on game awareness to handle top international attacks,” said Boucher.
Brevis’s stats at age 21 already indicate his growing stature:
| Format | Matches | Runs | Average | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| T20s | 53 | 1580 | 34.2 | 142.5 |
| List A | 18 | 735 | 45.9 | 91.3 |
Harry Brook: England’s all-format batting hope
Harry Brook has cemented his place in England’s Test, ODI, and T20I squads within a short span. His fearless stroke play, reminiscent of Kevin Pietersen and Joe Root’s hybrid style, has drawn praise globally.
Boucher highlighted Brook’s mental strength:
“Brook doesn’t care about reputations. He just plays cricket the way it should be played today – attacking but calculated.”
Brook’s Test average of 62.0 after 12 matches underlines his adaptability and hunger for runs.
Tristan Stubbs: South Africa’s next finisher
Tristan Stubbs, the explosive wicketkeeper-batter, is seen as a potential successor to David Miller in South Africa’s finishing role. His T20 strike rate of over 150 and his calm demeanour under pressure have impressed Boucher, who worked with him at Mumbai Indians.
“Stubbs has raw power, but importantly, he has maturity beyond his years to understand situations and pace innings accordingly.”
Rahmanullah Gurbaz: Afghanistan’s aggressive opener
Rahmanullah Gurbaz is Afghanistan’s rising batting star, known for his explosive starts in T20s and growing consistency in ODIs. At just 22, he already averages over 35 in ODIs with a strike rate nearing 90, giving Afghanistan quickfire starts alongside Ibrahim Zadran.
Boucher said:
“Gurbaz has that Sehwag-like mindset. He backs himself against any bowling attack, and if he can tighten his shot selection in the first 10 balls, he will be unstoppable.”
Why Shubman Gill missed out
Fans were surprised that Shubman Gill, India’s youngest Test double centurion and recent ODI double centurion, was absent from Boucher’s list. Analysts believe Boucher may have intentionally focused on names less established at international level, while Gill is already considered a frontline batsman for India across formats.
Comparative analysis of the four future stars
| Player | Country | Strengths | Areas to develop |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dewald Brevis | South Africa | Innovation, fearless approach | Handling quality spin in subcontinent |
| Harry Brook | England | Adaptability, composure under pressure | Playing in Asian conditions |
| Tristan Stubbs | South Africa | Power hitting, finishing ability | Rotating strike during middle overs |
| Rahmanullah Gurbaz | Afghanistan | Explosive starts, fearless intent | Shot selection early in innings |
Expert reactions to Boucher’s picks
Former South Africa captain Graeme Smith welcomed Boucher’s selections, noting they reflect modern cricket’s focus on fearless and adaptable batting. Indian coach WV Raman, however, said:
“Gill is already a star. These four are still emerging talents. Shubman is entering his prime and must be compared with established top-order players worldwide.”
Fans’ reactions
Fans on social media had mixed views:
- Indian fans: Felt Gill deserved mention for his Test and ODI consistency.
- South African fans: Celebrated Brevis and Stubbs’ endorsements, viewing it as validation of their cricket pipeline.
- English fans: Saw Brook’s inclusion as inevitable given his recent match-winning innings.
- Afghanistan fans: Expressed pride over Gurbaz being recognised alongside traditional cricketing powerhouses.
The road ahead for the chosen four
The coming 18 months will be crucial for these players with the following global cricket events lined up:
| Tournament | Date | Potential impact |
|---|---|---|
| ICC Champions Trophy | February 2026 | Opportunity for Gurbaz to excel against top bowling attacks |
| IPL 2026 | April-May 2026 | Platform for Brevis, Stubbs to strengthen their global reputation |
| ICC World Test Championship Final | June 2026 | Brook could anchor England’s batting |
| T20 World Cup | October-November 2026 | All four expected to play key roles for their respective teams |
Conclusion
Mark Boucher’s list offers a glimpse into cricket’s dynamic future where adaptability, power-hitting, and mental composure define elite success. While Shubman Gill continues to grow his stature as India’s all-format anchor, Brevis, Brook, Stubbs, and Gurbaz represent a new generation redefining traditional batting paradigms with fearlessness and flair. Their performance trajectories over the next two seasons will determine whether they evolve into the global superstars Boucher anticipates or remain promising talents striving to find consistency at the pinnacle of world cricket.
Disclaimer
This news analysis is based on Mark Boucher’s recent interview and performance statistics available as of July 2025. Readers are advised to follow official cricket board announcements and series outcomes for updated evaluations and player rankings.
