The announcement of the World Cup squads by each of the ten teams has increased the excitement of the event. Every team has tried to include the best and have put it out on the table. They have the amalgamation of vivacious youth and experienced skills sets. Though we ought to praise the experienced, there are some jubilant young men in the teams who can be the game-changers.
These young charms have been putting up their peerless performance in the current IPL 2019. At every step, they have been proving that skills don’t have to be a part of the experience. They are like gifted with their batting or effectively snapping wickets.
While one can keep arguing about experience versus young talent, everyone agrees that experience was gained from risks taken in the past. On that note, here is the list of the youngest players from each team for the most cherished battle.
The Youngest Players From Each of the Ten Teams:
Sri Lanka – Avishka Fernando (Age: 21 years):
The prodigy with the bat was introduced in the team straight out of his school cricket days. He had tasted a bit of salt water in the national cricket team of Sri Lanka even after playing record-breaking games during his youth ODIs for the nation.
Young Fernando has played five ODIs for Sri Lanka in which he has managed to score 71 runs. The Sri Lankan selectors have taken the gamble of selecting him in the side. And the talented youngster will have to prove to them why he is worth the trust.
Bangladesh – Mehidy Hasan (Age: 21 years):
The former U-19 skipper is one of the rising stars of Bangladesh. The youngster is a talented off-spinner. In test matches for Bangladesh, Mehidy has a record of picking three six wickets hauls for his team.
The youngster has played 22 matches so far and has impressed everyone with his agility on the field. Other than being an impeccable bowler for the team, Mehidy has scored some vital runs for the team. The big stage of the World Cup will be a chance for him to make his presence permanent in the team.
Afghanistan – Mujeeb Ur Rahman (Age: 18 years):
The Afghan spinner is currently one of the best bowlers in the team. In his short span of international career, the young prodigy has played 28 ODIs picking 51 wickets with an economy of 3.75.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman has played in T20 leagues in India and Australia performing reasonably good for his teams. The bamboozling spinner, paired with Rashid Khan, will certainly be the center of attraction in the World Cup 2019.
Pakistan – Shaheen Afridi (Age: 19 years):
Pakistan is building up their army of players with fine young talent for the biggest international event. The young bowler such as Shaheen Afridi has been the reason behind the omission of an experienced player like Mohammad Amir.
Pakistan has always had a fast bowling factory machine. It has given birth to the world’s best fast bowlers in game history. Afridi, a name similar to that of one of the most famous players of the team, has played 10 ODIs plucking 19 wickets with his tearing speed.
New Zealand – Ish Sodhi (Age: 26 years):
The leg-spinner of New Zealand is the youngest in the World Cup squad for the team.
The Indian-origin cricketer of the Black Caps has made the best out of the limited opportunities he has been provided by the team. With an economy of 5.54 in 30 ODI matches of his career, the selection of the wrist spinner was obvious. Though he won’t be alone and will face tough competition from Todd Astle, another leggie, in the team. Ish will be making the best he can on the biggest stage of the game
England – Tom Curran (Age: 24 years):
The Surrey player is the youngest in the English squad. He has played 13 ODIs and has picked 18 wickets. The pacer had impressed while playing in the Big Bash League 2018-19 season. Although he has been useful with the variations he brings in the death overs, releasing least possible runs at an economy of 6.26.
It could be said that Curran is the biggest beneficiary of Jofra Archer’s exclusion from the World Cup squad of England. It would be interesting to see how he makes a space in the team for himself.
Australia – Jhye Richardson (Age: 22 years):
Young Aussie player to make it to his first World Cup is a developing fast bowler. Jhye has impressed the Australian selectors with his pace in the 12 ODIs he has played till now. The selectors trust that his improvement has been drastic and preferred him over the experienced Josh Hazelwood for the World Cup.
Richardson has taken 24 wickets with an economy of approximately six runs in an over.
South Africa – Lungi Ngidi (Age: 23 years):
Lungi Ngidi is yet another jewel, Kagiso Rabada being the first, in the fast bowling department of South African squad. South Africa’s biggest strength in the World Cup is their crop of best pacers.
The young pacer introduced his agility with his six-for on his Test debut. Ngidi is the young sensation of South Africa and has been taking leaps in international cricket with his pace, agility, and attitude. With 34 wickets in his bag, he has played 18 ODIs till now.
West Indies – Oshane Thomas (Age: 22 years):
The menacing fast bowler can produce a consistent speed of 150 km/h mark on a regular basis. He will definitely be the pacer that batsmen will have to look out for at this World Cup. In the ODI series against England, the Windies pacer ended up snapping five wickets for 21 runs during the final ODI.
The Jamaican has important key factors to his pace including amazing yorker, bouncer and swing. In eight ODI matches, he has 15 ODI wickets to his name.
India – Kuldeep Yadav (Age: 24 years):
The left-arm fast spinner has bamboozled every batsman around the world with his variations and turn. He has been great during the short format of the game for team India.
In 44 ODI matches for team India, Kuldeep has picked 87 wickets with an economy of 4.94. The southpaw spinner had an amazing 2018 as he scalped 45 wickets in 19 ODI matches. However, his recent form in the IPL could be a worry for the side.