Rahul Dravid Eyes to Pick Talented Colts for the 2020 Under-19 World Cup
Mar 13, 2019 at 6:19 PM
India Under-19 coach Rahul Dravid, who has recently overseen the quadrangular series, is keen to prepare colts’ squad for the 2020 Under-19 World Cup. The veteran cricketer has often backed the youngsters to come good in whatever capacity they could in a bid to defend the title.
Dravid to test youngsters:
While briefing media following the culmination of the quadrangular series, Dravid revealed they’ve witnessed a lot of players partaking in the two youth Tests apart from the One-day series. He added there was enough on an offer with the bat. But exceptional talents have made it through on their impressive show.
“We wanted to expose more and more on players to this level. I’m not very keen on zeroing down on fewer numbers very quickly. We want more people to feel they are part of the system and get the benefit of the system; working with the coaches, the physios and I think that builds a much broader pool,” Sportstar quoted Dravid as saying.
Dravid has urged the young players partake in the system. He believes the youngsters will be benefitted while playing under the watchful eyes of coaches and physios to prepare well ahead of the mega event.
By this, the legendary cricketer Dravid has started off the proceedings to identify the talented crop of cricketers who could help Team India in defending their title in South Africa.
“This is the stage in the cycle where we are looking to identify players. We want to narrow in on the top 30 to 40 kids. This is a slightly younger bunch we picked keeping the next year in mind and it was a sort of a selection tournament for them,” Dravid said.
In 2018, Prithvi Shaw-led side has routed Australia Under-19 at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui by eight wickets.
There’s plenty of time for the 2010 Under-19 World Cup:
Former Indian National Cricket Team skipper Dravid has expressed his delight on working alongside young breed of cricketers. He sets his hopes high. Dravid is looking forward to shaping up the young raw talent in the next eight months.
Furthermore, the 46-year-old Dravid cited there were positives in the recently-held home tournament. Young bowlers have impressed Dravid during their show with the ball.
“We almost saw close to 45 boys through the course of the four-day and one-day games. The wickets were a bit challenging. So, we didn’t get to see good performances with the bat but we saw some talent there as well. It is a good exciting bunch to work with, in the next seven or eight months before the World Cup [U-19],’’ Dravid added.
Furthermore, Dravid is on a mission to serve India at length and breadth. The youngsters have the onus on their shoulder to relish. While considering an exposure, Dravid believes it will help the young blood to perform irrespective of conditions.
The stint will help players to gain experience:
He added even if the players would miss out to make it to the World Cup, still, they can take a leaf out of it to emerge as better cricketers in the foreseeable future.
“Even if they don’t play the World Cup, they can go back as better players. They can get into first class teams for their respective states,” Dravid inferred.
In a bid to prepare for the 2020 U-19 World Cup, the players will participate in the zonal camps Besides, the youngsters will participate in the zonal competitions before the kick-off of Asia Cup.