Young stars to use tour to get noticed

India under-19 cricketers want to make use of the tour Down Under the same way their predecessors Yuvraj Singhs, Mohammed Kaifs and Irfan Pathans did to make it to the highest level.

The latest from the U-19 category to graduate to the top level were Virat Kohli, who led the Indian colts to World Cup victory defeating New Zealand in the final in Malaysia, and Ravindra Jadeja. India will play two 3-day ties and the one day internationals.

The players feel that consistent performances at the junior level and then a good domestic season would certainly help themselves to be in the reckoning for the senior team.

Indian skipper Ashok Menaria from Rajasthan said it is the right time for him to perform that would earn him some recognition. “It is a very important tour for all of us. Every one wants to give in their best and make a mark as this is the right platform and short cut to get recognition. It is not like earlier when the player used to perform for four-five years continuously to find himself in the reckoning,” he said.

Delhi’s Manan Sharma, a left-handed batsman, says the Australia tour would be a crucial one. “Our performances would be counted because the conditions there are different from here. We have worked really hard in the last 10 days under the scorching sun. We would like our hard work to show good results on the field,” Sharma said.

Fast bowler Assam’s Krishna Das made his Ranji Trophy debut at the age of 14 and has played 11 matches and taken 38 wickets in his four year career so far. “I have been in and out of the Ranji Trophy team and also in Assam it is difficult get recognition because we play in the Plate Division. This is the best chance for me to get my self some recognition and playing in Australia would certainly help improve myself,” said Das.

Vice-captain MP’s Harpreet Singh echoed Das’s views of playing for a smaller state. “Our state team plays in the Plate Division so it is not easy even if you perform well. You have to be extraordinary that would help you make a mark,” he said.

Former Test batsman and junior chief selector Praveen Amre says this is a vital “platform” for a cricketer. “I have always said that a tour to Australia or South Africa would help a junior cricketer hone their skills. A consistent performance here and then a couple of good seasons in the domestic circuit would graduate them to the next level.”

India’s U-19 coach Chandrakant Pandit said earlier it was difficult in domestic cricket to make a mark but now it is much easier. “One had to fight hard at the domestic level and perform consecutively for 4-5 years before he could make it to the Indian team. But now it is easier for a player and he knows that he can make it to the higher level by performing at this level,” said Pandit.