Virat Kohli, Kagiso Rabada Got Noticed During U-19 World Cup - Makhaya Ntini

The ICC U19 World Cup 2020 is round the corner, and all the nations are currently gearing up for the biggest age-group cricketing extravaganza. As the tournament comes closer, former South Africa cricketer Makhaya Ntini has stressed the importance of the competition. He also went onto say the players like Virat Kohli and Kagiso Rabada started by playing in the U-19 World Cup who have now gone onto becoming stalwarts of the game.

Kohli announced his arrival when he led India to the coveted title in 2008. It was the same year when the Indian Premier League started as Virat Kohli didn’t have to look back. Similarly, many other Indian cricketers and from other countries as well showed their class in the U-19 World Cup and then went onto attain stardom for their nations taking the game to a new level.

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U-19 World Cup is a big platform – Makhaya Ntini

Makhaya Ntini stressed the importance of the ICC U-19 World Cup and supported his statement by giving examples of Virat Kohli and Kagiso Rabada. Ntini believes this tournament provides the perfect platform to the young cricketers to showcase their talent and grab the eyeballs of their respective national selectors.

“If you look at players like Virat Kohli and Kagiso Rabada, they all started playing U-19 cricket and representing their country in the U-19 World Cup, and look where they are today,” Ntini wrote in a column for the ICC. “A lot of the big players now started in the U-19 World Cup, and that is where you can get noticed and be seen by the world,” he added. 

Furthermore, Makhaya Ntini pointed out that the U-19 World Cup helps the youngsters to develop their game and stand up for themselves. Notably, Ntini’s son Thando also played in the 2018 edition of the U-19 World Cup. The next edition will take place in South Africa from January 17 to February 9.

“Without a doubt, the U19 World Cup helps develop young players as people as well as just cricketers. At the age of 19 or younger, you’re still trying to understand how you can learn about the game, and the U19 World Cup helps them develop and learn to stand up for themselves,” Ntini concluded.