The conversation with a Chennai Super Kings (CSK) official after this season’s IPL auction had gradually moved on to the young players who fetched big money. CSK spent Rs 8.4 crore for uncapped Sameer Rizvi. The official also spoke about Aravelly Avanish, an 18-year-old wicketkeeper-batter whom the franchise bought for Rs 20 lakh.
Avanish is in the India U-19 squad for the ongoing colts World Cup in South Africa. But Indian cricket’s mainstream no longer waits for the U-19 World Cups to take place to spot young talents. Every IPL franchise has a robust scouting system and Avanish got an opportunity to share the dressing room with MS Dhoni by dint of his performances in the quadrangular series and the Vinoo Mankad Trophy.
Does this make the U-19 World Cup less important for the participants? Ask anyone from the Uday Saharan-led side, and the answer will be a firm “no”. This is an opportunity for the youngsters to showcase their talent on the world stage, although success here will not guarantee a seamless progression to the next level.
And yet, this is a World Cup and the boys would be keen to lift the trophy. Also, the tournament still remains a breeding ground for the stars of the future. So watch out for the likes of Avanish, Saharan, Musheer Khan, Arshin Kulkarni, Raj Limbani and others.
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ICC U-19 World Cup: From Arshin Kulkarni to Kwena Maphaka – 5 players to watch out for:@CricSubhayan shares his list. Share yours@ThumsUpOfficial#ICCU19WorldCup #Under19WorldCup #U19WC pic.twitter.com/CWqIRGKYvg
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This India U-19 team doesn’t have the oomph factor of the 2018 side that had the likes of Prithvi Shaw and Shubman Gill. Nor is it as charismatic as the 2008 outfit that boasted a certain Virat Kohli, along with the likes of Ravindra Jadeja, Manish Pandey, Iqbal Abdullah and Saurabh Tiwary. But there is a common factor – India returned as winners in 2008 and 2018, and the current team is also good enough to annex the trophy. They showed that in the recently concluded tri-series in South Africa, where they went on an unbeaten run.
The U-19 Asia Cup that preceded the tri-series, however, didn’t go well for the India colts, for they lost to hosts Bangladesh in the semi-final. India open their U-19 World Cup campaign against Bangladesh, a tricky affair, but the next two games are against Ireland and the United States, and a place in the Super Six looks all but guaranteed.
Sixteen teams have been divided into four groups and the top three teams from each group will advance to the Super Six stage. Super Six will have two groups and the top two teams from each group will qualify for the semi-finals, followed by the final. The tournament’s format allows every team to bounce back from a bad day and India, five-time U-19 World Cup champions and one of the tournament favourites, should reach the last four. After that, there will be two knockout games and a lot will depend on how the young players handle pressure.
Away from India, keep an eye on Pakistan and their 6’ 8” fast bowler Mohammad Zeeshan. From tape-ball cricket on the outskirts of Faisalabad, the 17-year-old has made rapid progress via Faisal Cricket Club and the Central Punjab U-19s. He was the second-highest wicket-taker (11 scalps) in last year’s U-19 Asia Cup.
Two years ago, Zeeshan was a reserve player in the Pakistan U-19 World Cup squad. This time, he is ready to hurl thunderbolts.
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