U19 World Cup 2018: 5 unknown stars in the Indian squad

The Under-19 World Cup takes place every two years with several teams fighting it out for the prestigious title. The Indian squad has had a rich past in the history of the tournament. Last time around, they progressed to the final under the leadership of Ishan Kishan but stumbled to a loss by five wickets against the Windies in Dhaka. The upcoming U19 World Cup 2018 will be staged in New Zealand with India’s opening match being against Australia at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui. The Rahul Dravid-coached side has a bunch of vibrant youngsters in the team, who have performed excellently in the past. In our article, we take a look at five of India’s key players in the squad. #1 Prithvi Shaw Indian U19 skipper Prithvi Shaw. (Photo Source: Getty Images) Prithvi Shaw is a right-handed opening batsman from Thane, Maharashtra. At a tender age of 18, he has already emerged as one of India’s sparkling youngsters in the domestic circuit. He has shown tremendous potential and has already grabbed eyeballs in his short career. The batsman has recently played his maiden season for Mumbai in the recently concluded Ranji Trophy. Though Mumbai couldn’t proceed beyond the quarter-final mark. However, Shaw impressed for the 41-time champions with 961 runs in nine games at a staggering average of 56.52. He is recently rewarded for his stupendous performances and has been appointed as the skipper of the Indian U19 cricket team for the upcoming World Cup in New Zealand. The pugnacious potential will want to replicate his spectacular form in the tournament. #2 Shubman Gill Shubman Gill of India U19. (Photo by Sarah Ansell/Getty Images). Shubman Gill is a right-handed batsman from Fazilka, Punjab. The 18-year-old talent has simply been outstanding in his limited career as a cricketer. India U19 team played the England U19 team in a four-match ODI series and a two-match Test series last year in August. There Gill displayed flair and class with his batting and racked up 278 runs in four games at a whopping average of 92.67. He notched his highest score of the tour at Hove with a knock of 147 runs off 127 balls, which included 19 boundaries and two sixes. He has also played a couple of games in the previous Ranji season. He impressed against Bengal and scored 63 runs, but his maiden first-class century came against Services in a group match. He has currently been appointed as the vice-captain of the Indian U19 team for the World Cup. #3 Himanshu Rana Himanshu Rana. (Photo Source: ACC) Himanshu Jaikanwar Rana is arguably the most experienced cricketer in the U19 squad which is currently in New Zealand for the World Cup. The Sonipat, Haryana-born batsman has been a prolific run-scorer at the first-class level. In 15 games, Rana has recorded 792 runs at an average of 31.68 along with a couple of centuries. His highest score of 157 came against Maharashtra in the 2015-16 season. He also has played 11 T20s in which he has managed 172 runs at a strike-rate of 120. In November, he racked up a classy century against Malaysia U19 in the Asia Cup in Kuala Lumpur. Rana has to bring forth all his experience in order for the Indian team to progress in the World Cup in New Zealand. #4 Kamlesh Nagarkoti Kamlesh Nagarkoti (Right). (Photo Source: Sampath/CricTracker) Kamlesh Lachham Nagarkoti is a right-handed all-rounder born in Barmer, Rajasthan. He has been in prime form lately with a truckload of wickets in his kitty. Meanwhile, he has been equally effective with the willow in hand. During India U19s series against England U19 in July, Nagarkoti was outstanding with the ball. In the first Youth Test at Chesterfield, he finished with a couple of five-wicket hauls, which led India to a thumping victory by 334 runs. He has also played six List A matches for Rajasthan in which he has scored 116 runs at an average of 38.66. In February, he dished out his maiden List A hat-trick against Gujarat. In the same game. He scored his top-score of 56 in his List A career. #5 Anukul Roy Anukul Roy. (Photo Source: Twitter) Anukul Sudhakar Roy is a 19-year-old all-rounder from Saraikela Kharswan, Jharkhand. Apart from being an accurate left-arm orthodox spinner, he is also more than handy with the bat. Moreover, he has performed consistently in his short career. He was impressive during England’s U19s tour of India in February. He picked up a couple of three-wicket hauls and was able to put a lid on the English batsmen. When the Indian U19 team toured England in August, he performed equally consistently. He nipped out 10 wickets in four matches, which included a couple of four-wicket hauls. The youngster also played a patient and match-winning hand of 43 runs at Cardiff, which earned him the Player of the match award. Chasing 182, India were struggling at 5/70 and Roy’s knock guided them to victory.

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U19 World Cup 2018: 5 unknown stars in the Indian squad

The Rahul Dravid-coached side has a bunch of vibrant youngsters in the team, who have performed excellently in the past.

#3 Himanshu Rana

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