5 Indian players to watch out for in the U19 World Cup 2016

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India U19 players
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Himanshu Rana. (Photo Source: PTI)

5 Indian players to watch out for in the U19 World Cup 2016: The ICC U19 Cricket World Cup will kick off on January 22, 2016. The tournament has a big name in the circle of cricket as it is usually seen as the stepping stone for the young players to make a mark at the international level. India has the distinction of winning this tournament thrice, in 2000, 2008 and 2012.

The ICC U19 World Cup has given India stars like Yuvraj Singh, Mohammad Kaif, Irfan Pathan, Shikhar Dhawan, Ravindra Jadeja, Virat Kohli and many more. With the 2016 edition of the World Cup coming up, we have the list of 5 most promising Indian youngsters who could make it big in the cricketing universe and hold the vital cog of the web for India’s chances of winning the U19 World Cup for the record 4th time.

Here are the 5 Indian players to watch out for in the U19 World Cup 2016:

1. Himanshu Rana:

India U19 players
Himanshu Rana. (Photo Source: PTI)

This young lad from Haryana made his first major remark on the cricket field when he became the 7th youngest Indian batsman to score a first-class century. At just 16 years and 120 days, Rana scored 149 during the Ranji Trophy match against Rajasthan in the 2014-15 season. He took his side to safety after Haryana was struggling at 29/3. He impressed again during the current Ranji season when he scored his second first-class ton, scoring 157 off 271 balls against Maharashtra. In the match against Assam, he scored 56, showing great class and temperament. Having played 8 first-class matches, he averages 44.

Rana can bowl part-time medium pace too which often comes in handy. In their recent unofficial U19 game against Sri Lanka at Colombo, he scored 92 runs. Well, this man is certainly someone to watch out for. He might pretty well get good bids during the IPL auctions this season!

Also Read – Schedule of ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2016

2. Avesh Khan:

Avesh Khan
Avesh Khan. (Photo Source: PTI)

The young pace bowler, who is already being tipped as the new fast bowling sensation of the country, Avesh Khan will be playing his 2nd ICC U19 World Cup. He was a part of the U19 World Cup 2014 but did not enjoy much success. However, he made the headlines by bowling a delivery closed to 140 kmph against Pakistan. He made his Ranji debut for Madhya Pradesh last year and was quick to grasp 4/84 against Uttar Pradesh in his second match. He shot to limelight during the U19 tri-series when he bagged 4/4 against Bangladesh U19 to skittle them down for just 76. He has played 5 first-class matches picked up 15 wickets at an economy of 2.90. Clearly, this young lad is the most promising pace talent to watch out for!

3. Rishabh Pant:

Rishabh Pant
Rishabh Pant. (Photo Source: PTI)

Rishabh Pant is the wicketkeeper of the current Indian U19 squad. In the recent U19 tri-series match against Afghanistan U19, Pant set up India’s 4th consecutive win with a swashbuckling 98-ball 118 hitting 14 fours and 4 sixes. Earlier in the tournament, he had scored 87 and 51. With such stellar performances, he certainly looks to be one of the promising players to watch out for this season.

Pant has played two first-class games for Delhi so far. His promising talent was rewarded when he was named as the captain of the India Green side for the U19 Challenger Series which took place in October. In spite of his aggression with the bat, the India U19 opener remains grounded and is a very modest cricketer off the field. After hammering the century against Afghanistan, all he spoke about was the discipline and about playing the ball on its merit.

4. Washington Sundar:

Washington Sundar
Washington Sundar. (Photo Source: Washington Sundar Facebook Handle)

The all-rounder from Tamil Nadu, who usually opens for India U19, had his bit of fame from the recent tri-series as well. The 16-year-old Washington Sundar led India U19 to a comfortable win by four wickets against Bangladesh U19 with an all-round performance. He scored a patient 50 from 75 balls (6×4s) and took 2/25 from his six overs. Prior to this, he was phenomenal in the U19 Challenger series as well as he ended up being the second highest leading run scorer in the tournament. Sundar amassed 162 runs, next best to Ricky Bhui’s 176 runs. The young man is certainly in the run to be one of the promising talents of the mega event that kicks off in January.

5. Sarfaraz Khan:

Sarfaraz Khan U19
(Photo Source: Facebook)

The most well-known among all the U19 players participating this year is Sarfaraz Khan. The young man from Mumbai has been scoring runs at will in the domestic circuit. Earlier this year, he was the surprise buy at the IPL auctions and represented Royal Challengers Bangalore. His 45 off 21 balls in the 2nd IPL game that he played made him an overnight star. The 18-year old represented India in the previous edition of the U19 World Cup as well.

In their opening match against Pakistan U19, Sarfaraz put on 119 runs for the 5th wicket with Sanju Samson. He scored a belligerent 74 and also claimed two magnificent catches in the outfield before picking up a wicket too. He was adjudged the Man of the Match then. On his Ranji debut for Uttar Pradesh this year, Khan scored 155 off 164 balls. During the final match of the tri-series against Bangladesh U19, Sarfaraz hit a quickfire unbeaten 27-ball 59 (9×4, 3×6) and put on 75 runs for the fourth wicket with Skipper Ricky Bhui to clinch the series for India U19. The numbers perhaps say it all.

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