5 most impressive Indian players at the ICC U-19 World Cup

The Indian U-19 cricket team were one of the best teams in the ICC Under-19 World CupThe Indian Under-19 cricket team, under the guidance of the mercurial former Indian batsman Rahul Dravid, were widely touted to be the favourites of the ICC U-19 World Cup that was held in Bangladesh during January-February 2016.However, after having never lost a single game under Rahul Dravid, the Indian colts faltered in the end as they lost the final of the tournament to the West Indies Under-19 team, who clearly the better side in the final encounter.Despite the loss, Indian cricket fans can be relieved, because the number of talents who have impressed during the course of the tournament is many, Some with the bat, some with the ball, and some other with both bat and ball, giving Indian cricket hope for the future.Ishan Kishan, India's Under-19 captain, is only 17 years and this underlines the faith that the Indian management has in youth. Although the captain had a poor tournament personally, it will go a long way in helping the Indian colts perform better and go on to win the upcoming matches/tournaments.Here is a list of five players who impressed for the India Under-19 side during the World Cup:

#5 Rishabh Pant

Rishabh Pant made a name for himself during the Under-19 World Cup when he scored the fastest fifty in Youth ODIs in the India's group stage match against Nepal U-19. Pant scored 78 off just 24 balls to hand Nepal a crushing defeat.

Pant had two fifites and a hundred to his name in the tournament and was the second highest run-getter for India, scoring 267 runs in 6 games at an average of 44.50 and a strike rate of 104.29. His hundred came in the important quarterfinal game against Namibia U-19 and gave India a comfortable passage to the semi-finals.

The 18-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman had five catches and two stumpings to his name as he did a good job behind the stumps for India.

However, the batsman disappointed in the semi-final and the final and it might have made a difference to the result had Pant done well in the game against West Indies U-19.

#4 Avesh Khan

Avesh Khan has been making a name for himself in the last one year with his performances at the youth level. Hence, it was no doubt that Avesh was the frontline bowler for India U-19 in the World Cup.

The 19-year-old bowler took on the responsibility and led from the front with the ball as he picked up 12 wickets in 6 games at an average of 15.08 and an economy rate of 3.48. Avesh consistently troubled the opposition batsmen in all the matches and along with Khaleel Ahmed kept things tight at the start of the bowling innings.

In the final against West Indies U-19, Avesh and co. helped India take the match to the very last over despite West Indies having to chase only a target of 146.

Following his performance in the World Cup, Avesh is definitely one to look for in the future as he will be looking to make it to the senior squad and rid India of their bowling woes.

#3 Mahipal Lomror

For a 16-year-old cricketer to feature in the Under-19 at a stage such as the World Cup is no mean feat in itself. But, Mahipal Lomror seemed to enjoy the big stage and was one of India's best performers in the tournament, despite being the second youngest player in the Indian squad.

Lomror was, by far, the best Indian all-rounder as he put in consistent performances with both bat and ball. In five innings that he batted, Lomror scored 133 runs at an average of 33.25 and a strike rate of 100.75. The young talent from Rajasthan also picked up 7 wickets in 6 matches at an impressive average of 18.85 and an economy rate of 3.75.

In the match against New Zealand U-19, the southpaw scored 45 and finished with bowling figures of 5/47. He was the only Indian bowler to achieve a five-wicket haul in the tournament. Lomror's 21-ball 41 in the quarterfinal against Namibia U-19 helped India post a huge total of 349 in 50 overs.

With the way he performed, it definitely seems like Lomror has a bright and promising future ahead of him, as he is yet to make his first-class debut.

#2 Mayank Dagar

Mayank Dagar was brought into the India U-19 squad from the final group stage match and hence was able to play only four matches. However, Dagar made the best of the opportunity that was given and finished as India's best bowler with 11 wickets from the four games, finishing just 4 wickets behind the top wicket-taker.

The 19-year-old had the best average and the best economy rate of the tournament for any bowler who picked up at least ten wickets. Dagar finished the tournament with an average of 9.36 and an economy rate of 2.88.

The slow left-arm bowler from Delhi was the best bowler for India in the final against West Indies U-19 as he picked up three wickets and gave away only 25 runs in his ten overs, and helped India have a sniff at an improbable win.

#1 Sarfaraz Khan

India's best performer with the bat at the Under-19 World Cup, Sarfaraz Khan has been in the limelight for a while now. Since Sarfaraz made his Indian Premier League (IPL) debut for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) as a 17-year-old last season, he has been praised for his extraordinary batting skills.

Sarfaraz exuded class and elegance in all the innings that he played as he scored 5 half-centuries in 6 games. The 18-year-old finished the tournament as the second highest run-getter, scoring 355 runs at an average of 71 and a strike rate of 86.79.

The Mumbai-born youngster played responsibly in all his innings as he steadied the ship whenever India lost early wickets and got India back into the game. When all other batsmen struggled to score in the final against West Indies U-19, Sarfaraz managed to score a fighting fifty to help India reach a score of some respectability.

Of all the players in the Indian youth side, it can be said that Sarfaraz Khan is clearly the best of the lot and one who could don the blue of the Indian senior squad in the near future.