UP juniors still a force to reckon with
Around 30-35 UP cricketers have played for India in different international matches during the last few years
LUCKNOW: Uttar Pradesh has always been a force to reckon with in domestic cricket and its journey has many milestones of note.
The state team first made it to the Ranji Trophy final in 1939-40. After that, it had to wait for 38 years before its next appearance in the title round in 1977- 78, losing on this occasion too.
Almost 28 years later, Uttar Pradesh lifted their maiden Ranji Trophy in 2005-06, with the Kaif-led team beating Bengal in the final on the basis of the first innings lead. They also made it to the final in 2007- 08 and 2008- 09, both times under Kaif’s captaincy, but lost.
Kaif and Co jointly won the Vijay Hazare Trophy (50-over format) in 2004-05 with Tamil Nadu before finishing runners-up in the next edition in 2005-06.
In fact, it was the result of the abundant talent at the junior level in the state, especially in the Vinod Mankad Trophy under-19 cricket, where UP’s dominance has been almost unchallenged even now. Last season too, UP won the Under-19 Cooch Behar Trophy in style. Uttar Pradesh boys did well in the Under-16 Vijay Merchant Trophy, losing only in the semifinals.
As a result, nine cricketers from the state made it to the National Cricket Academy in the lot of 15 from the central zone. Besides this, five cricketers from the state, including Meerut’s Priyam Garg, were selected in the Indian Under-19 squad for the tour to England. Sameer Rizvi, Dhruv Chand Juyal, Kartik Tyagi and Purnank Tyagi were the other four. This was followed by the selection of Dhruv Chand Juyal and Purnank Tyagi in the Under-19 squad for Sri Lanka tour.
The latest chapter in UP’s success story is India lifting the Under-19 ACC Asia Cup in Colombo, beating Bangladesh by five runs in a thrilling final. Skipper Dhruv Chand Juyal made a crucial contribution of 33 runs as India posted 106 and then skittled out Bangladesh for 101.
That isn’t all. Four cricketers from Uttar Pradesh — Priyam Garg (captain), Madhav Kaushik, Aryan Juyal and Karthik Tyagi —would be part of the Indian squad in the upcoming Under-23 five-ODI home series against Bangladesh, starting at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana International Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Thursday.
So far, around 30-35 players from the state have played for Indi at both junior and senior levels during the last three years.
Former Team India allrounder Gyanendra Pandey played a big role in the success of Uttar Pradesh. As the junior national selector for the last three seasons, he has not only been instrumental in shaping the careers of many cricketers from the state at the junior level. At the senior level, UP’s Ranji Trophy team fared well during his stint as coach.
A ‘perfect’ all-rounder with the experience of over 100 firstclass matches, Gyanendra made every player in the side feel comfortable but also ensured quality cricket and performance-based selections.
“I have seen the best days of cricket in my time. The coach’s instruction and a willingness to play for the team remained my sole objective to attain success,” he said.
“The only mantra for success is to stay focused on your mission. A consistent showing would surely give a player the chance to progress,” said Pandey, who was recently asked to select the Bihar team by the BCCI.