The Under 19 World Cup is a big tournament for budding cricketers to showcase their talent to the home country and the world and knock the doors for the national team. First Under 19, World Cup was held in 1988 and since then 11 editions have been played. India and Australia have won 3 titles each. In 2016, West Indies became the Champions first time in the history by defeating Team India.
In the 12th edition to be played in New Zealand from 13th January to 3rd February 2018 Indian team is led by Mumbai’s prolific batsman Prithvi Shaw. They are grouped with Australia, PNG, and Zimbabwe in Pool B. They will face Australia in the first match on 14th January, followed by PNG on 16th January and the final pool match against Zimbabwe on 19th January. India is one of the strong contenders would be looking to do well in the prestigious tournament.
Here is an introduction to the Under 19 team taking part in Under 19 World Cup 2018:-
- Prithvi Shaw
Prithvi Shaw the Indian captain is an opening batsman who is known to create pressure on opposition bowlers with his attacking stroke play. Shaw is the youngest batsmen to score a century on like Ranji Trophy and Duleep Trophy debut. The young Indian opener plays for Mumbai in Ranji Trophy.
He has played 9 First Class matches and scored 961 runs with the highest score of 154. His first-class debut for Mumbai was against Tamil Nadu in the semi-finals of Ranji trophy 2016/17.
- Shubman Gill
Shubam Gill has been named as the vice-captain in Under 19 World Cup 2018. He made his Ranji Trophy debut for Punjab against Bengal in November 2017. In his second first-class match against Services, Gill hit his maiden century. Gill’s attacking stroke play makes him a special talent.
In 2017, Gill played a key role in team India win over England in their own den. A right-handed bat currently 18 years old has scored 247 runs from 7 List A matches with best score 121.
- Himanshu Rana
Himanshu Rana talented young player from Sonipat is a right-handed batsman who bowls part-time medium pace. He made his Ranji Trophy for Haryana against Delhi in 2015. Since then he has played 15 First Class matches scoring 792 runs with the best score of 157.
Rana played his last Ranji Trophy match against Jammu and Kashmir in November 2017. Apart from that, he has played 1 List A game and 11 T20s matches. With the big Under 19 World Cup coming up, Rana has an opportunity to showcase his batting and bowling abilities.
- Abhishek Sharma
An all-rounder who bats and bowls left-handed is 17 years old. He made his Ranji Trophy debut for Punjab against Himachal Pradesh in this year’s domestic season. He has played 4 first-class matches scoring 202 runs with the best score of 94. In bowling, Sharma took 6 wickets from the same number of matches.
In List A matches, Abhishek Sharma has scored 72 runs from 4 matches and taken only 3 wickets. He bowls stump to stump line and does not allow the batsmen to score runs easily. Sharma will play an important role in his all-around abilities.
- Riyan Parag
Riyan Parag is an impressive young talented player, just 16 years old comes from Assam. He is a right-handed batsman and bowls leg-break. Ryan has played just only 1 Ranji Trophy matches for Assam against Hyderabad in 2017.
Parag has also played 2 List A matches and 3 T20s. Despite limited experience, Parag could play a big role in the upcoming Under 19 World Cup.
- Aryan Juyal
Aryan Juyal the second choice wicketkeeper of the team is a right-handed batsman coming from Dehradun will be looking to make his debut in World Cup 2018 to be held in New Zealand. He has trained hard to become a cricketer and moved from Dehradun to Moradabad where his family was staying.
He finally got chance to represent the Under 19 team of Uttar Pradesh. He was the top scorer of Vinoo Mankad trophy with 401 runs. After that, he got a chance in the Challenger Trophy and was 4th highest run-getter with 171 runs.
- Harvik Desai
Harvik Desai is the recognized first-choice wicketkeeper of the team is 18 years old. He is a right-handed batsman coming lower down an order. He has played only 5 List A matches for Saurashtra and scored 79 runs. The wicketkeeper performed well and got a chance to play for Saurashtra scoring runs at the under 19 level.
In his debut season at Vijay Merchant Trophy (2013-14), he scored runs at an average of 62. In the next season, Harvick averaged 48. He was picked in the Challenger Trophy 2016.
- Manjot Kalra
Manjot Kalra currently 18 years old plays for Delhi under 19’s and also a part of the India under19 squad for the first time. He is a left-handed batsman, also bowls right-arm medium pace.
In 2017, Manjot Kalra scored 35 runs against Nepal under 19 and Malaysia under 19 during the Asia Cup. He has the ability to perform well. If he gets a chance in the playing XI, Kalra can score big runs and help team India to post a massive total.
- Shivam Mavi
Shivam Mavi is the young talented all-rounder who bats right-handed and bowls right arm fast bowler. His performances in the Under 19 level for India have been brilliant. In the England tour last year, Mavi did well by picking wickets and also scored runs.
Shivam Mavi played for Uttar Pradesh under-19 team. He is from Noida and 19 years old, would be hoping to showcase his talent with his all-around abilities.
- Kamlesh Nagarkoti
Kamlesh Nagarkoti is another young talented player currently 18 years old and played for Rajasthan Under 16’s, also Rajasthan Under 19’s. A right-handed batsman and right arm pace bowler.
He has played 6 List A matches for Rajasthan in which Kamlesh scored 116 runs with the best score of 56 not out. Kamlesh made his List A debut on 26th February 2017 and the same year has a distinction of taking a hat-trick against Gujarat.
- Ishan Porel
Ishan Porel has the ability to bowl with quick pace and bounce. Currently 19 years old and played for Bengal Under 16’s, Bengal Under 19’s. He made his first Class debut for Bengal against Vidarbha on 9th November 2017.
Ishan Porel has taken 13 wickets from 3 matches with best figures of 5/32. Also, Porel took 2 wickets in 3 List A matches. He would play a key role in the upcoming Under 19 World Cup.
- Shiva Singh
Shiva Singh another talented young player comes from Moradabad. He is a right-handed batsman and bowls left-arm orthodox spinners. Shiva has played for India under 19 team, Uttar Pradesh under 16’s, also Uttar Pradesh under 19’s.
He comes lower down the order and sometimes scores important runs which help the team to score a big total. Shiva Singh is another player who could play an important role with both bat and ball.
- Pankaj Yadav
Pankaj Yadav the son of milkman has been selected into the Under 19 World Cup squad. He is a 15-year-old leg-spinner from Jharkhand. Yadav did well in the 2016/17 Vijay Merchant Trophy in the Under 16 section.
His performance has been brilliant in the Under 16 section. He got a chance replacing Rahul Chahar in the squad.
- Anukul Roy
Anukul Roy another talented player from Jharkhand is currently 19 years old. He is a left-handed batsman and orthodox spinner. In his cricketing career, Ankul has played for Jharkhand under 19’s.
He has performed well with the bat and ball. In the previous ODI series against England in their own den, Ankul took 10 wickets from 4 matches. He scored 67 runs without getting out. His role is also important in the upcoming World Cup.
- Arshdeep Singh
Arshdeep Singh, another young talented player is 18 years old. He is a left-handed batsman and medium fast bowler. Singh has played 2 matches for India under 19 team during the Asia Cup held last year against Bangladesh and Malaysia.
In the Challenger Trophy, Arshdeep Singh bowled at a speed of 140 kmph and with conditions supposed to help pacers; Singh may be a trump-card for India in the upcoming World Cup.
Rahul Chahar, Om Bhosle, Ninad Rathva, Urvil Patel and Aditya Thakare are 5 other players kept standby namely