Top 5 Indian U-19 stars whose careers never got going

#1 Unmukt Chand

Unmukt Chand

Back in 2012, when Unmukt Chand led a U-19 World Cup-winning team, he was hailed as the next big thing in Indian cricket. He was even compared to his statemate Kohli whose feat Chand had replicated. However, the journies of India's U-19 heroes are quite contrasting as Kohli went on to establish himself as one of the modern-day greats, on the other hand, Chand is still struggling to make it to the highest level of cricket.

The Delhi-born youngster led the U-19 Indian team from the front in the 2012 ICC World Cup by piling up as many as 246 runs in 6 innings at an impressive average of 49.20 which included an unbeaten ton against the runners-up Australia in the final.

The 25-year-old's numbers in first-class cricket for Delhi in the domestic circuit have not been that great as he has just scored 3184 runs in 60 matches at a below-par average of 34.23. Though he averages 40.23 odd in List-A cricket he has not been a regular member of the squad.

He got his maiden IPL call-up in 2011 from Delhi Daredevils. Later, he went on to play Rajasthan Royals and Mumbai Indians. His figures in IPL too have been dismal as he has managed to aggregate a paltry 300 runs in 20 innings. Chand has been going unsold in the auctions since 2017.

Currently, Chand is playing for his state team Delhi in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, awaiting his most elusive India cap.