BCCI Plans Tournaments Against Bangladesh And Sri Lanka To Prepare Team For Under-19 World Cup 2021

To prepare a strong team for the forthcoming ICC Under-19 World Cup 2021, BCCI has planned to conduct a tournament with Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. The Indian cricket board is planning to develop two U-19 teams from India and play them against the U-19 champions Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. ICC U-19 World Cup 2021 is set to be played in West Indies in January-February next year.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, U-19 cricket has been completely hampered in the country since March 2020. No domestic tournament has taken place for U-19 teams for more than one year. BCCI has planned to restart the U-19 tournaments with the Vinoo Mankad trophy in the third week of September.

BCCI Plans Tournaments Against Sri Lanka and Bangaladesh To Prepare Team For U-19 World Cup 2021

A BCCI official told Times of India that the board has planned the two overseas tournaments to prepare the players for the U-19 World Cup 2022.

“The board usually arranges multiple U-19 series – both home and overseas – to prepare a crop of U-19 cricketers for the World Cup. The pandemic has hampered the normal process. It’s important for the young boys to have some international experience,” a top BCCI official said.  

The official also informed that NCA Head Rahul Dravid likes to give enough opportunities to U-19 players. However, due to the pandemic, they can only host two domestic tournaments ahead of U-19 World Cup 2021. Therefore, these overseas tournaments will help to test out the players.

“NCA head Rahul Dravid likes to give players ample opportunities before pruning the list of players. This time, however, there will be just two domestic tournaments. This is why the board has thought of fielding two teams. Bangladesh are a tough opposition in U-19 cricket. This tournament help will test out the players,” the official further added.

BCCI has planned to conduct the Vinoo Mankad Trophy in the 3^rd week of September. All the state associations have already begun their preparations to set up the squad for the same.  Post the Vinoo Mankad Trophy, BCCI will also conduct Challengers Trophy which will help to shortlist the list for players for ICC U-19 World Cup 2021 in West Indies next year.

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