Kamindu Mendis likely to lead Sri Lanka in U19 World Cup 2018

Richmond’s College batting all-rounder Kamindu Mendis will lead the Sri Lanka team in next year’s U19 World Cup, to be played in New Zealand. Kamindu Mendis will become the second player from the College to lead U19 side in the World Cup, after his senior Charith Asalanka captained the side in previous edition. As reported by Cricket Age, Jehan Daniel, the all-rounder from St. Joseph College, Will be his deputy, while selectors have put Vishwa Fernando and Ayana Siriwardana as standby. Ayana was the captain of the side, which played in Challenger Trophy in India, recently.

Selectors are yet to finalise the squad. But they are most likely to include Kamindu Mendis (c), Jehan Daniel, Hasitha Boyagoda, Thisaru Rashmika Dilshan, Krishan Sanjula, Kalana Perera, Dhananjaya Lakshan, Praveen Jayawickrama, Nuwanidu Fernando, Ashen Bandara, Hareen Buddhika, Nipun Malinga, Nipun Dananjaya, Nishan Madushaka and Santush Gunathilika.

India’s preparations for the event

Meanwhile, last year’s runners-up, India have backed Prithvi Shaw to lead the side with Shubhman Gill being allotted the position of the vice-captain. On December 3, the All-India Junior selection committee picked the squad for the 16-team event. India and Australia are the jointly the most successful teams in the tournament with the former winning the title three times. India lost to West Indies in a closely fought final held in Bangladesh, last year.

As part of India’s preparation for the coveted tournament, a camp will be held in Bengaluru starting on Friday. “A preparatory camp will be held in Bengaluru from Dec 8 -22, 2017,” Acting secretary of the BCCI, Amitabh Choudhary said. Prithvi Shaw and Bengal’s Ishan Porel will play the Ranji Trophy quarter finals for their side and then join the camp on December 12. Shaw is Mumbai’s second highest run-getter with 521 runs this Ranji season, while Porel has ten wickets from two matches.