ICC U-19 World Cup 2018: 5 Indian players to watch for

The ICC U-19 World Cup has given platform for a lot of great cricketers to prove themselves before graduating to the international level. Cricketers like Virender Sehwag, Virat Kohli, Steven Smith, Kane Williamson, Rohit Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja, Joe Root, Yuvraj Singh, Quinton de Kock, Tim Southee and many have done well in the U-19 circuit before making a transition to the higher level.

Now, the U-19 World Cup 2018 is set to start from January 13 in New Zealand. A total of 16 teams will take part in the tournament. And the Indian team is already one of the favourites to win the U-19 Cricket World Cup this year. Captain Prithvi Shaw will be taking the field with boys under the watchful eyes of ‘The Wall’ Rahul Dravid to bring back the glory after the gap of six years. Last time, India won the World Cup under Unmukt Chand in 2012. Prior to that India had won the cup twice, in 2000 and 2008. In 2000, the team was led by Mohammad Kaif which also had Yuvraj Singh in it and then, now, skipper Virat Kohli led the side to success in 2008.

To note, India jointly hold the record with Australia for winning the maximum number of U-19 World Cups. Both have won thrice.

Now, with just two days left for the 2018 edition, let us take a look at the Indian talents we need to watch out for during the course of the tournament.

Prithvi Shaw, the captain

No cricketer will get more attention at this tournament than the Indian skipper Prithvi Shaw, who has already played Ranji Trophy domestic cricket. Shaw drew attention in November 2013, hitting the then-highest score by any batsman in any organised form of cricket since 1901. Shaw notched a whopping 546 in a Harris Shield inter-school match in Mumbai. Shaw also scored a first-class century on debut for Mumbai in 2017, a feat he repeated in Duleep Trophy. Interestingly, the same feat was achieved by retired Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar.

Kamlesh Nagarkoti

Kamlesh Singh Nagarkoti burst into the scenario by taking a hat-trick in for his team Rajasthan in Vijay Hazare Trophy last year. After that, there was no turning back for Kamlesh as he was picked in the U-23 squad for the AFC Emerging Players tournament that took place in Bangladesh. Kamlesh will be leading the bowling attack for India in New Zealand. Despite a below par performance on the English tour, Kamlesh will continue to be an important cog in the wheel for skipper Prithvi.

Shubman Gill

The 18-year-old from Haryana is the vice-captain of the team. Gill has centuries to his name at every level of cricket, including in short first class and List A careers. Playing for Punjab in the Ranji Trophy, Shubman scored a gritty 61 against Bengal last November. It took him only two matches to bring up his first century in his first class career, scoring 129 against Punjab.

Shubman, who has the habit of converting his starts into big tons, will be leading the team’s batting charge in New Zealand.

Himanshu Rana

Himanshu would be the most experienced campaigner in the side in England. Rana draws his roots from the batch of 2016, like an old stow away on a new boat. After making his debut in 2016, he has already played around 30 matches for Haryana. He has even partnered Virender Sehwag on the crease. Himanshu has scored two centuries and four half-centuries for his side. When the England team tour India last year, Himanshu added 211 runs in four matches at an average of 53, including one ton and one fifty.

Himanshu’s experience at the top of the order will be of great importance in New Zealand if the team wants to win the world cup. Watch out for what he does with it.

Shivam Mavi

The Noida boy will share the responsibility with Kamlesh in the bowling department. Shivam is yet to join the first-class scene. He was the joint highest wicket taker in the recently concluded Challenger Trophy where he played for India Blue.

Known for his discipline with his line and length, Shivam is more than handy with the bat.

 

The India U-19 team: Prithvi Shaw (Captain), Shubman Gill (vice-captain), Manjot Kalra, Himanshu Rana, Abhishek Sharma,Riyan Parag, Aryan Juyal (wicket-keeper), Harvik Desai (wicket-keeper), Shivam Mavi, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Ishan Porel, Arshdeep Singh, Anukul Roy, Shiva Singh, Pankaj Yadav.

The list of standby players: Om Bhosle, Rahul Chahar, Ninad Rathva, Urvil Patel and Aditya Thakare.