Rehan Ahmed has rapidly emerged as one of the most exciting talents in English cricket.
He showcases a rare blend of leg-spin wizardry and explosive batting that has many touting him as a future cornerstone of the national side.
At just 20 years old, his recent performances, particularly in the County Championship, have only amplified the buzz around him.
A star in the making: Recent form and impact
Ahmed's all-round abilities have been on full display in the 2025 County Championship season.
Playing for Leicestershire, he has amassed an impressive five centuries, including four in his last five innings, batting at number three.
This remarkable run includes scores of 136, 106, and 115.
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Beyond his prolific batting, Ahmed has also been a significant force with the ball, taking 20 wickets at an average of 15.15 this season.
A highlight of his recent form was a historic match against Derbyshire, where he not only scored 115 runs but also claimed 13 wickets (6-51 and 7-93), becoming the first Englishman this century to achieve such a feat and the first since Ian Botham to score a century and take 13 wickets in a first-class match.
His leg-spin, including a deceptive googly, has been praised for its accuracy, a quality not always associated with young wrist-spinners.
This aggressive, wicket-taking approach aligns perfectly with England's current "Bazball" philosophy under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum, where attacking cricket and making things happen are prioritized over economy rates.
Ahmed himself has stated, "I don't like bowling maidens. I think that's just boring." This fearless mindset is a significant asset in the modern game.
International exposure and future prospects
Ahmed made his Test debut for England at the tender age of 18 years and 126 days in 2022, becoming the youngest ever male Test cricketer for the country and taking a five-wicket haul on debut against Pakistan.
He has since featured in five Tests, six One-Day Internationals, and ten T20 Internationals, gaining valuable experience across formats.
His performances in India, where he picked up 11 wickets in three Tests, demonstrated his ability to compete against a strong batting line-up in challenging conditions.
While he may need to bide his time for a regular spot in the Test side, particularly in home conditions where seamers often dominate, his recent all-round exploits make a compelling case for his inclusion.
Experts like Monty Panesar believe Ahmed has a "big future" and have even drawn comparisons to Afghanistan's Rashid Khan, a testament to his potential in white-ball cricket.
Challenges and the path forward
Despite his immense talent, the path to becoming an England regular is not without its challenges.
The English cricketing landscape often favors seamers, and finding consistent overs for spinners in county cricket can be difficult.
Ahmed's commitment to improving his batting, however, even stating he has "underperformed" in that aspect, shows his dedication to becoming a truly complete all-rounder.
The England management, particularly with the aggressive ethos instilled by Stokes and McCullum, appears willing to back young, exciting talents like Ahmed.
His selection for upcoming tours, including the Ashes, will be closely watched.
With his ability to contribute significantly with both bat and ball, Rehan Ahmed has all the attributes to be a generational talent and a key player for England across all formats for years to come.