The U 19 World One day Champs -- India

I love to follow this tournament that happens once in two years – Some reasons for me following this tournament so closely are :

1.      The Youngsters play cricket with gay abandon – They show no nerves on the field—Nothing to lose for them .

2.      Most of the future senior cricketers for all countries emerge from this tournament – The Kohli’s , Yuvraj’s , Jadeja , Southee , Willamson  and so on

3.      I follow the Indian team more closely – just because of one man – Rahul Dravid who is the Coach --  There cannot be a better person to mentor these kids and prepare them for the big stage.

India won the tournament hands down – They played far superior cricket  to the other countries and to me they were not challenged by any of the  nations. Yes, there were some nervy moments in the matches but at no point they looked like a side that will not win the tournament . India started their campaign with a thumping win over Australia ( whom they met in the final as well ) , rolled past Papua New Guinea and Zimbabwe before meeting Bangladesh in the Quarters . This match looked to be promisingly   tight one but India upped the ante at the right moment and pulled away. The next match, the semis was against traditional rivals Pakistan against whom we can never lose – just not only   in the sport of Cricket –

Pakistan has a good seam attack and they seemed to have shaken up the Indian batting order until a superb century by Shubman Gill under pressure took India to a score that was defendable. No one expected Pakistan to collapse like a pack of Nine cards --  India was in to the final

Australia meanwhile defended a low score against Engaland – Highlight being a 8 for 35 for their leg spinner  Llyod Pope – he is being compared to a Shane Warne straightaway but I reserve that view- He was hopeless against India in both the group match  and finals

The finals itself was a tame affair – On a wicket full of runs , Aussies kept loosing wickets at regular intervals and set a below par score of 217 for India to chase –  India did that in style with one more of its rising start Manjot Kalra coming good with an unbeaten century.

Stars to look out for from the Indian team

Batters -

To me the top pick was Shuban Gill ( IPl Auction price 1.8 Crore ) although Prithivi Shaw  ( who led the team admirably- picked up for 1.2 Crores  ) may be ahead in terms of playing for his state—Gill is gifted , has plenty of time to play his shots and is well organized-One short of Arshad , the Pak fast bowler  ( it was an upper cut with so much elegance and style ) left everyone stunned and the bowler was bemused for a long period of time !

Prithivi will do well also  – he is in the right team ( Mumbai ) where he will be nurtured and we all know the stuff that Mumbai players are built off

Manot Kalra is one person to watch out –Plays with the usual left hander elegance and again has so much time to play his shots.

Bowlers

Shivam Mavi ( 3 Crores IPL ) , Kamlesh Nagarkoti ( 3.2 Crores IPL base price was just 20 Lakhs  ) are already famous – They have bowled fast , straight and furious ( clocking speeds of 145 KMPH )—They have been one great reason for India not conceding too many runs to their opponents in the tournament – I was very impressed with their discipline on both line and length –Something that Youngsters at ages 17/18 will not do – They kept their pace up but that did not let their accuracy down – They were well supplemented by Ishan Porel ( pace ) and Ankul Roy ( spin )

Overall it was such a strong team that other teams just did not have any window of opportunity to go for the title .

What made this strong team ?

1.      The team was training for this tournament for nearly 18 months or so – very focused , bonded and engaged together

2.      Rahul Dravid did a stellar job – Nothing short of that is expected from him- The boys must have been blessed to have this legend as their coach –A no nonsense man , with great focus on the game and he has nurtured and developed the talent of the boys.

3.      Paras Mhambrey the bowling coach and support staff who have helped the team stay fit and free of injuries

4.      All these youngsters have come to this level , through hard work and none of them come from great background or support system – Prithivi has come through in the most hard way, his father supporting him through his journey ( again no financial strength , was helped by local MLA , Board etc )

5.      The IPL daze may spoil them .. If they have to graduate in to the senior ranks , it is in their hands only – They have the biggest opportunity to leverage  and move ahead. Key is to keep their feet on the ground and continue their focus on the game

Things are auguring well for the Indian Cricket