Heroes of U-19 Indian team at the Top End Tri-Series

Kuldeep Yadav

The 18-year old left-arm spinner who plays for Uttar Pradesh in Indian domestic cricket and is contracted to the Mumbai Indians finished as India’s highest wicket taker in the tournament. He bowled 32 overs in the 4 matches that he played in the series dismissing nine batsmen with his flight and sharp spin.

The extent to which he deceived the batsmen in Australia is all the more evident when add to those statistics the fact that he was the most economical bowler giving less than 2.00 runs an over. His average was about 6.00. He is a unique commodity in Indian cricket and fans should hope that he matures over the next few years and eventually plays for India.

Deepak Hooda

18-year old Deepak Hooda is a promising right-arm medium pacer who impressed in the tournament picking up 8 wickets in the five matches that he played for the U-19 side. He was consistently good on the tour and never leaked runs as he finished the tournament at an economy rate of about 3.0 runs per over. He averaged 17.00 that is much better than the tournament’s highest wicket taker (Australia’s M.Fotia) and was much more economical too. He bowled a brilliant spell of fast bowling against New Zealand giving a return of 3/26 in India’s fourth consecutive win of the tournament.

Vijay Zol

The Indian captain was one of the two members from the squad that won the u-19 world cup under the leadership of Unmukt Chand. Zol who plays domestic cricket for Mumbai averages 36.00 in the 7 List A matches that he has participated in and is currently contracted to the Royal Challengers of Bangalore. He succeeds a line of U-19 captains who have tasted enormous success and hence he must have been under some pressure.

He lived up to the expectations and ended the tournament as the highest run-scorer and man of the tournament. His dominant innings of 128 of 131 balls that came against New Zealand was the highlight of the series. He contributed 341 runs in the 6 matches that he played at an average of over 68.00.