Beyond Jasprit Bumrah: Shane Watson Names Two Indian Bowlers Catching His Eye in 2026

Former Australia all-rounder Shane Watson believes India's bowling stocks remain stronger than ever, with the Indian Premier League continuing to produce a conveyor belt of fast bowlers and spinners capable of succeeding at the highest level.

Asked about the current Indian bowling attack and the young bowlers he would like to see progress further, Watson praised the depth available to Indian cricket while singling out Kartik Tyagi and Prince Yadav as two players who have caught his attention during IPL 2026.

For Watson, the discussion begins with India's premier fast bowler. "You think about obviously Jasprit Bumrah, who's just, who's something else," he said.

But beyond Bumrah, Watson believes India's greatest advantage is the volume of talent constantly emerging through the IPL system.

"Certainly the Indian bowlers, you know, I've got ample, ample number of bowlers, fast bowlers, spin bowlers, who certainly, you know, world-class bowlers," Watson said.

The former Australian all-rounder pointed to the IPL as the driving force behind that continued production line, arguing that few domestic competitions offer young cricketers a similar opportunity to test themselves against elite opposition.

"Because of the IPL, you continue to unearth so many highly skilled bowlers, fast bowlers, spin bowlers, who are challenging themselves against the best, some of the best batters in the world, or most of the best batters in the world, in high-stakes environments like, you know, IPL games."

Among the young pacers who have stood out to him this season is Kartik Tyagi, whose performances have strengthened his case for greater recognition. "You see someone like Kartik Tyagi, who's had a brilliant, a brilliant IPL season," Watson said.

He was equally complimentary of Prince Yadav, another emerging seamer who has impressed against some of the game's biggest names.

"You see bowlers like Prince Yadav, who's come through and done a brilliant job as well. You see his skills on display against the, you know, the best batters in the world."

Watson believes regular exposure to international-calibre competition is accelerating the development of India's next generation and ensuring the talent pool continues to grow.

"So while, while the Indian cricketers continue to get exposed to, to play against the best cricketers in the world, you know, two and a half months of the year, it's going to mean that there's just going to continue to be more and more world-class cricketers that do come through."

Importantly, Watson stressed that the talent surge is not limited to fast bowling. "Whether it's batting perspective, bowling and fast bowling and spin bowling perspective," he said, India's system continues to produce elite players across disciplines.

That depth, according to Watson, is unmatched anywhere else in world cricket.

"So it certainly is the envy of all countries around the world with the calibre of cricketers that are coming through India."

With established stars like Bumrah already leading the attack and young bowlers such as Tyagi and Prince Yadav making their mark on the IPL stage, Watson believes India's pipeline of bowling talent shows no signs of slowing down.