'They have shown maturity in tough situations' - India U19 Head Coach optimistic about future despite U19 World Cup Final loss

In the aftermath of India's defeat in the ICC U19 World Cup 2024 final against Australia, the disappointment lingered. Despite falling short by 79 runs, the tournament witnessed the rise of promising talents such as skipper Uday Saharan, Musheer Khan, Saumy Pandey, and Sachin Dhas, who showcased their capabilities on the field. India's U19 head coach, Hrishikesh Kanitkar opened up about the future of Indian cricket, expressing confidence in the potential of the 2024 batch.

Kanitkar's optimism was palpable, “Definitely (the future of India is very bright). As a bowling side and as a batting side, there have been stand-out performances by quite a few players. They have shown maturity in tough situations and that bodes well for Indian cricket,” Kanitkar said at the post-match press conference on Sunday.

He commended the standout performances displayed by the players, emphasising their maturity in challenging situations. Such resilience, he believes, bodes well for the trajectory of Indian cricket.

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Everytime there are a couple of guys who step up either in the IPL or the Indian team: Hrishikesh Kanitkar

The legacy of the U19 World Cup extends beyond the confines of the tournament, serving as a breeding ground for future cricketing superstars. Kanitkar reminisced about past prodigies like Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, and Rohit Sharma, who graduated from the youth ranks to become stalwarts of the Indian team. He predicted that, once again, a couple of emerging talents will seize the opportunity to shine, whether in the Indian Premier League (IPL) or the national team, despite acknowledging the stiff competition within the country.

“Everytime time there are a couple of guys who step up either in the IPL or the Indian team. I’m sure there will be a couple, but there is great competition back home,” Kanitkar added.

With squad members like Arshin Kulkarni and Aravelly Avanish Rao already securing IPL contracts, Kanitkar emphasized the significance of this platform in preparing players for the challenges of senior-level cricket. He emphasized that the intense scrutiny and pressure experienced at the U19 level provides invaluable lessons, equipping them with the resilience and composure required to excel on the grand stage.

“For the players great journey, everything is highlighted, these performances matter, they are under the scanner. They get used to these situations. They know what to expect and are prepared when they play higher cricket,” said the 49-year-old head coach.