Abhinav Mukund

A genuine top-order batsman from Tamil Nadu who loves to score heavily, Abhinav Mukund made a promising start to his career. A timely ton for Rest of India coupled with an injury to Gautam Gambhir brought the youngster into limelight for the second Test against Australia in the 2010 Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Mukund has been a prolific scorer in domestic cricket since he made his debut in 2007. The southpaw, who comes from a cricketing background, showcased centuries in his first two Ranji games and went on to play for India’s 2008 Under-19 WC squad. Though he proved to be a major disappointment at the WC, 2008-09 still held promise for the then teenager as he hit his first triple century and rounded it up with three more tons.

A strong back foot player who generally prefers the off side, Mukund is a good cutter and puller of the ball and also has one of the best defensive techniques for a player of his age and experience. A talent waiting to explode, Mukund got his first taste of international cricket when he was chosen to open for India in Tests, in the absence of the Sehwag-Gambhir duo, against the West Indies in 2011. A decent show there earned him a place in the squad for India's tour of England later that year.