U-19 PLAYERS TO WATCH OUT FOR
PRIYAM GARG: Despite being only 19-year-old, Garg has made a name for himself in the senior circuit. He amassed a good tally of runs for state side Uttar Pradesh during the previous Ranji Trophy season. This year, national team captain Garg was involved in the Vinoo Mankad Trophy, Deodhar Trophy and Duleep Trophy. He has a huge task ahead of him as India is the defending champion in the competition (India, under Prithvi Shaw, had won the trophy in 2018).
YASHASVI JAISWAL: Southpaw Jaiswal, who recently became the youngest double centurion in List-A cricket, will spearhead the batting attack. Although the 17-year-old played only six games during the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2019-20, he was the fifth-best scorer in the competition with 564 runs. The Mumbai lad, who stands at six feet, was the highest scorer in the 2018 ACC Under-19 Asia Cup, where India emerged victorious.
TILAK VARMA: In his debut season in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, the Hyderabad-based cricketer notched up a couple of half-centuries, putting on just over 200 runs at a healthy strike rate of more than 100. Having got two wickets for just six runs against the Afghanistan Under-19 side recently, Varma proved he can roll his arm over too when needed. He has not been in the best of form with the bat in India colours, but will hope to come good in the global event.
DHRUV JUREL: The now vice-captain led India to Asia Cup triumph in 2019. The wicketkeeper-batsman, who represents Uttar Pradesh in domestic cricket, played a pivotal role for India during its tri-nation success in England. The 18-year-old has been kept busy behind the stumps of late, taking seven catches and making two stumpings in his last five appearances. Second-choice stumper Kumar Kushagra will deputise in Jurel’s absence.
ATHARVA ANKOLEKAR: The left-arm spinner has been in terrific form, scalping 15 in his last five appearances. This includes a five-wicket haul against Bangladesh in the 2019 Asia Cup final, where India defended a modest total. Atharva, thus far, has been part of Mumbai’s Under-17, Under-19 and Under-23 teams. The slow bowler has done exceedingly well in spin-friendly conditions in the sub-continent, but will have to add more variety if he wants to succeed in hard South African pitches.
SHUBHANG HEGDE: The all-rounder has the experience of rubbing shoulders with the big boys, having competed for Belagavi Panthers in the Karnataka Premier League (T20 event). In the recently-concluded series against Afghanistan, Shubhang got two wickets each in his three appearances, helping India finish on top (3-2). The 18-yearold had made his first-class debut during the 2018-19 Ranji Trophy.