U-19 WC spots at stake for India colts

LUCKNOW: With an eye on the U-19 World Cup in South Africa next year, India’s cricket colts begin their preparation and squad tune-ups in a five-odi series against Afghanistan’s youngsters, starting here on Friday.

Indian cricket takes the fortunes of its junior team seriously, as suggested by the team’s success at U-19 World Cups. India U-19 have won a third of the 12 U-19 World Cups played so far.

Ever since Mohammad Kaif delivered India its first U-19 World Cup back in 2000, there has been a conscious effort by BCCI to give the most talented i ndividuals an immediate chance in senior teams. Many of the current Test stars, from captain Virat Kohli to wicketkeeper

Rishabh Pant, went on to make full use of that opportunity.

So who will be Indian cricket’s next blue-eyed teen? Mumbai’s Yashasvi Jaiswal has already made heads turn with his run in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. But India’s captain for the upcoming series, Priyam Garg, feels each of the 14 players in the squad can make a splash, which in turn will help them to get selected for next year’s U-19 World Cup, and then hopefully catch the eye of the national selectors. “I have told the boys to play to their potential as the World Cup team is about to be announced soon,” said Garg on Thursday.

The focus from Friday onwards, however, will be on Afghanistan, the ‘home side’ for this series (it is being hosted by the Afghanistan Cricket Board at their adopted home ground).