India U-19 team won the 2018 ICC U-19 World Cup on Saturday, as they defeated Australia by eight wickets.
India won the title for the record fourth time courtesy a brilliant century by opener Manjot Kalra in the final. Australia is second on the list of winners with three titles.
India won the previous titles under the leadership of Mohammed Kaif, Virat Kohli, Unmukt Chand and now winning it under Prithvi Shaw.
Many former and current cricketers had heaped praise on the young team, as the team enjoyed an unbeaten run throughout the tournament. Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly was no different and praised the youngsters.
Ganguly also thanked BCCI was providing support and facilities to the young boys over the years.
Speaking to India Today, Ganguly said,
“The system in Indian cricket is so good that it actually helps produce good cricketers. I must say over the last ten years a lot of work has been done in creating a level where everybody improves. You go back to the states, U-19 level there’s so much of cricket, and everything is well organised. You look at the international level, the number of tours they play. The A team goes away for so much time. They will also go to England in July when the senior team will be there. So it’s a system which produces players,”
Ganguly also expressed his happiness for the boys and also wished them luck for the future,
“You look at the fast bowlers Nagarkoti, Mavi, Porel they all are hitting 140. They are just 17-18 years of age. I agree and understand that the bridge between the U-19 and senior level is a lot more, and these boys will have to cover that bridge, but they’ve got serious talent these young kids,”
Ganguly also asked the young boys to look up to Virat Kohli as an example to succeed on the senior level,
“I hope some of them play for India now. Virat Kohli is the biggest example. When we used to play U-19, the World Cup was not there. I remember playing against Pakistan in Bombay. Rahul Dravid has played under me.”
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