Top 10 U-20 cricketers who can define the future of Indian cricket

8. Akhil Herwadkar (18)

Career stats

Under-19 Tests

Matches: 2

Runs: 111 Average: 37.00 High Score: 71

Under-19 ODIs

Matches: 20

Runs: 576 Average: 30.31 High Score: 88*

Herwadkar scored 88* against Zimbabwe and put together a 218-run stand along with opener Ankush Bains that helped India chase down Zimbabwe’s 245 in the Quadrangular U-19 one-day series.

This left-hander from Maharashtra could open the batting for India in the future. He attended his first cricketing camp in Pune at the age of 11, and thereafter moved to Mumbai. He then played for the Mumbai U-16s and U-19s. He has an attacking batting style and has shown the ability to adapt to various situations. He was a member of the Under-19 squad that won the World Cup and the Asia Cup.

7. Deepak Hooda (18)

Career stats

Under-19 ODIs

Matches: 13

Runs: 169 Average: 33.80 High Score: 83*

Wickets: 14 Average: 32.00 Best figures: 3/22

Hooda made 83* in 55 balls to take India’s total to 291 against Zimbabwe U-19 in the Quadrangular Series, 2013/14. He took 2/37 in the second innings. India won by 148 runs.

He could fill the shoes of the all-rounder in the national team, which is always a welcome prospect for any side. Hailing from Baroda, he performed consistently for the Baroda Cricket Association (BCA) and also produced a splendid all-round performance for the U-19s last season, scoring 487 runs and claiming 26 wickets.