Indias under-19 team are set to leave for Australia on April 4 for a 16-day tour,which according to coach Chandrakant Pandit is an opportunity for the young cricketers to know each others game and develop a rapport ahead of their World Cup title defence in Kuala Lumpur next year. The boys are new and our main aim is to gel as soon as possible. There is still time for serious preparations for the under-19 World Cup, says former Indian wicketkeeper Pandit,talking to The Indian Express. Pandit,who has coached the Mumbai Ranji team as well as Maharashtra under-22 and India A sides,has stepped into Dav Whatmores shoes who had led India to a memorable victory in the under-19 World Cup last year. Now,as it was then,the selectors have picked a squad that has quite a few all-rounders. You can see that we have a lot of utility players and our bench strength is good. Right now we have just a couple of days together,so lets see how it goes, says Pandit. Under-19 over IPL? Meanwhile,some of the cricketers reportedly had offers from the IPL teams,but they opted to be with the junior team. The gambit may pay off well in the future as a good showing at this level may not only fetch a better bargain the next time,but also brighten their chances of earning an India cap. Virat Kohli,who let the under-19 team to the trophy in Kuala Lumpur last year,was lapped up by Bangalore Royal Challengers and later played for India when they toured Sri Lanka. Says current under-19 skipper Ashok Maneria,I know this is the most crucial phase of my life which can only help me build my career in the future. Many cricketers have gone on to play for India by performing at this level. I also am looking forward to it. The India under-19 cricketers are undergoing a camp at the MCA-BKC ground. They will play three one-dayers and two three-day games in Australia.
