Sourav Ganguly recommends U-19 stars to emulate Virat Kohli

The India U-19 team scripted history by becoming the only team to win the junior World Cup 4 times. And the young colts did so in style. They went on to lift the cup after enjoying an unbeaten streak throughout the entire tournament. And lauding India’s dominant performance at the U-19 World Cup, erstwhile India skipper Sourav Ganguly said that he hoped to see some of the young cricketers go on and enjoy success with the senior squad as well.

Ganguly also held out Virat Kohli as an example and said the Indian colts must aspire to emulate the current Indian team captain. Kohli, who had skippered India to glory at the 2008 edition of the U-19 World Cup, went on to evolve into one of the world’s best batsmen and India’s senior team captain. Speaking on the sidelines of Cricket Association of Bengal’s (CAB) foundation day celebrations, the Board President said, “It’s a fantastic achievement. They not only became champions, they dominated teams from the first game,”

Ganguly added, “I hope some of them play for India now. Virat Kohli is the biggest example. When we used to play U-19, the World Cup was not there. I remember playing against Pakistan in Bombay. Rahul Dravid has played under me.”

Vision 2020 project

Bengal speedster Ishan Porel, who took two wickets in the final and four in the semi-final against Pakistan, has shown immense potential. If nurtured properly, he keeps the capability to break into the senior team.

Porel, who looked in a blistering form this tournament, is a product of the CAB’s Vision 2020 project. Quizzed about the previous India U-19 World Cup winners who have failed to reach the next level, Ganguly said that is the reason projects like Vision 2020 are created. “Vision 2020 is done to help these youngsters and bridge the gap,” Ganguly concluded.