Chance for Under-19 World Cup hopefuls to stake claim
LUCKNOW:Rain might play a spoil sport in the five-match Under-23 one-day series between India and Bangladesh, beginning Thursday here with heavy rain lashing the state capital on Wednesday. Interestingly, the series was originally scheduled to take place in Raipur, but incessant rain led to a change in the venue early this month.
Even though the lush green Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana International Cricket Stadium has one of the best drainage systems in the world, a persistent rain has threatened the opening tie on Thursday.
However, the series, probably first-of-its-kind after the BCCI introduced the Under-23 ODI only in 2017, gives an opportunity to the under-19 hopefuls of both the countries to check their preparations for the Under-19 ICC Youth World Cup, scheduled from January 17 to February 9 in South Africa.
Besides prolific batsman and captain Priyam Garg, keeperbatsman BR Sharath, Atit Seth and another keeper-batsman Aryan Juyal have a chance to make it to the Indian squad for the South Africa event and a good showing here would consolidate their claims further as the junior selection committee members would be here to watch the youngsters.
Besides, it would also allow the players to get into the groove before the start of the domestic cricket’s premier event Vijay Hazare Trophy, starting Tuesday.
“Certainly, it’s a big opportunity for youngsters like me to draw everyone’s attention before the January’s World Cup,” said Priyam, who amassed 800-plus runs in his debut season for UP Ranji Trophy side last season.
“Playing alongside under-23 boys would also help one improve his mindset and like others, I too would like to cash on the opportunity,” he said.
Though he remained clueless about the strength and the weaknesses of rivals Bangladesh, he promised to motivate everyone in the team to win the series.
“After our Under-19 side winning the Asia Cup by beating Bangladesh a few days back, we would also like to win the series against their under-23 team,” said Garg, who has scored doubles centuries in all the formats of the game in domestic cricket so far.
Bangladesh, who are no more minnows in the world cricket by their standard, too have a few under-19 World Cup hopefuls in their side, would aim to let a number of raw and young talent in the team to develop themselves as future stars and head coach Simon Grant Helmet seems confident for that.
“We are here to win all the matches even though most of the boys are new and raw. Definitely, we are looking to develop future stars for our country and giving quality match opportunities helps you see how your players perform under pressure,” Helmet said.
He, however, said series would also help Bangladesh to identify talent for the next ACC Under-23 Emerging Trophy. “I like the concept of under-23 cricket as it allows players to get exposed to another level. There are some outstanding players in the side, who could make it to the Emerging Trophy next year.”
FIXTURES
Sept 19: 1st One Day; Sept 21:
2nd One Day; Sept 23: 3rd One Day; Sept 25: 4th One Day; Sept 27: 5th One Day. (Match starts at 9.00).