‘ Don’t fasttrack U19 cricketers’
GRADUAL RISE Chief of junior selectors Venkatesh Prasad urges World Cup winners to take it one step at a time
NEW DELHI: The teenage stars of India’s U-19 team have made an impact with their resounding triumph at the World Cup last week. The talk about skipper Prithvi Shaw’s temperament or Kamlesh Nagarkoti’s pace makes one think Indian cricket’s future may already be knocking at the door of the present.
However, Venkatesh Prasad, chairman of BCCI’S junior selection committee, has a word of caution. He feels optimism should not turn into over-enthusiasm. It is still early days to push them into bigger battles in international cricket, he adds.
“If you fast-track the players and they are not able to handle the pressure, you might lose them. They start doubting their own ability then,” Prasad, a veteran of 33 Tests and 161 ODIS, says in an interview.
“Probably the team management, with (coach) Rahul Dravid being at the helm, will be in a better position to fast-track a few players or not. I am not very sure.” India U-19 team’s fielding coach Abhay Sharma had recently said at least six from the World Cup winning squad have the potential to play for India A.
‘SHORT-TERM GOAL’
Prasad, also a former India bowling coach, elaborated on the challenges one faces while graduating from junior cricket to the senior level. “U-19 is not the be-all and end-all. Winning World Cup is a temporary and short-term goal. The long-term goal is to sustain the growth,” said Prasad, who was coach of the Indian team that finished runners-up at the 2006 U-19 World Cup.
“There are several factors which may stop an U-19 player from prospering at the senior level. One is the bigger challenge. More importantly, are they mentally strong or mature to handle that pressure? Fast-tracking is something we need to be very careful about. There might be lot of talent, potential, but if they are not mentally fit to cope with the pressure, then it’s important to climb the ladder slowly.
“The mental aspect of the game is the difference between the top cricketers and the junior cricketers.”
PROMISING PLAYERS
Prasad says it is important for the young players to do justice to their talent by playing first-class cricket.
“You got to graduate to the