Sourav Ganguly names the best player of the India U19 squad

The India U19 team has been at its best in the ongoing junior World Cup in New Zealand. They’ve defeated all their opponents on the way to the final and the smallest margin of win in terms of runs is worth 100. The semi-final against Pakistan was expected to be a stern test but Shubman Gill’s hundred and Ishan Porel’s four-wicket haul helped them to a 203-run victory.

On the back of Gill’s hundred Team India posted 272 runs on the board and in their attempt to chase it down, Pakistan were skittled out for just 62. With that, the Prithvi Shaw led team marched into the final and now have a great chance to win the title for the fourth time.

Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly lauded Gill for his batting and went on the extent of saying that the No.3 was a better batsman than the more famed Prithvi Shaw. His century against Pakistan was 18-year-old right-hander’s first in Youth ODIs and he finally converted a fifty-plus score into triple digits. His scores in the World Cup thus far read – 63, 90*, 86 and 102*.

Gill is a better player

“I actually feel Shubman Gill is a better player than Prithvi Shaw. I feel he is the best player in this team. He is a bit like Brian Lara and Kane Williamson. Even Ishan Porel who plays for Bengal, created havoc with the new ball. He was injured at the start of the tournament and couldn’t play for a week. It’s great to see him back, get fit and come and bowl so well. They are special these kids,” Ganguly told India Today.

“Shubman Gill, Prithvi Shaw then there is the wicketkeeper Harvik Desai, these guys look much above the rest. It’s also a direction for future that most of these boys will go on and play the top level in a few years time. The difference between India and the rest of the sides has been too much in this tournament,” he said.

Dada also lauded the two fast bowlers of the team Shivam Mavi and Kamlesh Nagarkoti both of whom bowl really fast and have become sensations in the country. He also took the opportunity to pat the spin duo of Anukul Roy and Abhishek Sharma.

“Not just Pakistan, every team has been decimated like this. Look at those two fast bowlers – Shivam Mavi and Kamlesh Nagarkoti – bowling at over 140 at the age of 17-18. Anukul Roy of Assam has got a huge future, left-arm spinner Abhishek Sharma is also fantastic,” he added.