#KnowYourTeam: Meet batsmen of India's Under-19 World Cup Squad
India's Under-19 Cricket World Cup campaign, is all set to kick off from Sunday when they take the field against Australia. Coached by the legendary Rahul Dravid and led by Mumbai's young sensation Prithvi Shaw, India would try to bring home the trophy. In this 2-part series, we introduce the young guns. Here are the batsmen who would represent India at U-19 World Cup.
Prithvi Shaw
Arguably India's best player in the squad, Prithvi Shaw is already knocking on the doors of the senior national team. At a young age of 14, he caught media's attention after scoring 546-runs in an innings in a Harris Shield match. He has also scored a first-class hundred for Mumbai against Tamil Nadu and will be India's best bet on bouncy New Zealand's pictches.
Shubman Gill
This young man, Shubman Gill, from Firozpur in Punjab, is already living up to his expectations. With two Ranji games under his belt already this season, Shubman has scored 245 runs at an average of 61.25, including a hundred. One of the finest batsmen in the team, Shubman even managed to outscore Prithvi during England's tour of India in 2016-17.
Himanshu Rana
Talk about experience, and that is what exactly Himanshu Rana brings to the table for India. With over 30 matches under his belt for Haryana, this young lad has even shared the crease with the likes of Virender Sehwag. During England's tour to India, the youngster from Harayana smashed 211 runs at an average of 53.
Manjot Kalra
A key member of the Indian batting line-up, along with Prithvi and Shubman, Delhi's Manjot Kalra is expected to share the burden of putting runs on the board. This youngster reeks of quality, showcasing it when he scored a hundred against England in August last year. He was also the second highest run-scorer in the Cooch Behar Trophy, last year.
Abhishek Sharma
This all-rounder from Punjab is an important member of the India Under-19 setup. With over 1,200 runs and 57 wickets to his name in the 2016 Vijay Merchant trophy, Abhishek Sharma has shown us a glimpse of his prowess. He also made his Ranji debut this season and has scored 202 runs in four matches with an additional six wickets to his name.
Harvik Desai
With a List-A debut for Saurashtra, this season, Harvik is the man behind the stumps for India. The wicket-keeper batsman has played 5 matches for Saurashtra but has managed just 79 runs in 5 innings at an average of 15. Harvik was on fire against South Africa in the practice match where he claimed 3 catches and a stumping.
Riyan Parag
16-year-old Riyan is a middle-order batsman who scored three half-centuries in England last year and is one of the big hitters in the squad. Having made his List A debut for Assam at the age of 15, it shows the quality this youngster has it in him. Riyan amassed 204 runs in four innings at a 50-plus average in the Challenger Trophy.
Aryan Juyal
The 16-year-old wicket-keeping batsman from Uttar Pradesh was the top scorer in the Vinoo Mankad Trophy this year. He was also the 4th highest run scorer in the Challenger Trophy with 171 runs in 4 matches. The quality batsman scored an 86-run innings against South Africa in the practice match but it remains to be seen if he will be India's first choice wicket-keeper.
