Indian teams have won the U-19 World Cup in 2008, 2012, 2018, and 2022 after taking home their first trophy under Mohammad Kaif in 2002.
In their tournament opener in Bloemfontein on January 20, India, the reigning champions and most successful team in Under-19 World Cup history, will take on Bangladesh in an attempt to add another trophy to their collection.
The five-time champions, who are seated in Group A, will play their opening match at the Manguang Oval against the Asian rivals before moving on to play Ireland and the USA in the remaining group matches.
Indian teams have won the U-19 World Cup in 2008, 2012, 2018, and 2022 after taking home their first trophy under Mohammad Kaif in 2002.
Four groups of as many teams each will compete in the event, which the ICC abruptly shifted from Sri Lanka to South Africa.
The top three teams from each group advance to the Super Sixes, whereupon the semifinals take place on February 6 and 8, and the final is scheduled for February 11 at Benoni.
India will believe they have enough weapons to last the distance thanks to their all-around player from Maharashtra Arshin Kulkarni, wicketkeeper-batter Aravelly Avanish, left-arm spinner Saumy Kumar Pandey, vice captain Saharan, and other exceptional talent.
Two of these players, Avinash (Chennai Super Kings) and Kulkarni (Lucknow Supergiants), have already signed IPL contracts and will be eager to establish themselves on the biggest stage before moving on to play in the top division of cricket.
Rajasthani-born Saharan, who has led Punjab in all age groups, has scored more than fifty in each of his last three innings, including a century against South Africa.
The right-handed batsman who moved from Rajasthan to Punjab last November amassed 297 runs at 99 with four fifties in just four U-19 Challenger Trophy games.
Musheer Khan, a promising player in this Indian team who amassed 268 runs at 89.33 with a century and two fifties in the domestic tournament, was not far behind him.
Before the Indian squad traveled to South Africa, bowlers Aaradhya Shukla, Pandey, and Kulkarni were among the top wicket-takers in the U-19 Challenger Trophy.
India’s form also works in their favour; they have won all four of their U-19 tri-nation series matches in South Africa. The match against the hosts ended in a washout.
However, after losing the U-19 Asia Cup semifinal to Bangladesh in a largely one-sided match in December, India will also be careful not to get too comfortable against them. In their last warm-up match, Australia was defeated by Bangladesh.
Squads:
India: Arshin Kulkarni, Adarsh Singh, Rudra Mayur Patel, Sachin Dhas, Priyanshu Moliya, Musheer Khan, Uday Saharan (c), Aravelly Avanish Rao (wk), Saumy Kumar Pandey (vc), Murugan Abhishek, Innesh Mahajan (wk), Dhanush Gowda, Aaradhya Shukla, Raj Limbani, Naman Tiwari.
Bangladesh: Mahfuzur Rahman Rabby (c), Ashiqur Rahman Shibli (wk), Jishan Alam, Ariful Islam, Mohammad Shihab James, Ahrar Amin (vc), Shiekh Parvez Jibon, Wasi Siddiquee, Maruf Mridha, Chowdhury Md Rizwan, Adil Bin Siddik, Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman,Md Rafi Uzzaman Rafi, Rohanat Doullah Borson, Iqbal Hossain Emon.
