U19 World Cup Victory Holds A Special Place In My Heart: Virat Kohli

India captain, Virat Kohli, is one of the products of U19 cricket. He led the team to a title India in the junior World Cup in 2008. India won the title for the second time and ended the wait of eight years. In the year 2006, team India came close to a win but lost to Pakistan in a low-scoring encounter.

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In the final of the tournament in 2008, the Virat Kohli led side had a tough task to defend 116 runs in 25 overs, and they did it successfully,

Now, when the junior World Cup is around the corner once again, the current players, who graduated from that level are sharing their views on the importance of the junior World Cup,

“The ICC U19 World Cup was a very important milestone in my career. It helped us get a good platform to build on and make our careers from thereon, so it holds a very important place in my mind and heart. It’s very important to understand and respect the opportunity it provides you and as I said, for me, it holds a very special place in my heart,” said Virat Kohli, former India U19 skipper, in a video released by ICC.

Along with Kohli, former U19 captains like Mohammad Kaif, Parthiv Patel, Ambati Rayudu have also played for India. Rishab Pant, who led the team in few games before the 2016 U19 World Cup, has also played for the country in two T20Is.

The U19 platform is a stepping stone for the players from where they are recognised by selectors and can be fast-tracked to the Indian team as well, like in the case of Rohit Sharma.

Talking of the current India U19 team, players like Prithvi Shaw, Shubhman Gill, Abhishek Sharma and Kamlesh Nagarkoti have impressed, and they can surely be future stars.

Talking of Shaw, in particular, he has already made a case for selection in India A team for foreign tours with his brilliant show in the first-class matches he has played till now. He played India A in the series against New Zealand A and also played two practice games for Board President’s XI against New Zealand.

He will lead the U19 team in the World Cup, and the success of the team will heavily depend on him. If Shaw can able impress in the World Cup as well, then there are no doubts that he might be experimented soon by the national selectors the same year.

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Video of the day –