2018 Under-19 World Cup: India's predicted XI against Australia

The twelfth edition of the Under-19 World Cup has begun in New Zealand, who are hosting for a record third time. The opening day featured four matches, with the most notable result being Afghanistan's excellent victory over Pakistan.

India, who have won the tournament thrice, will be opening their campaign against Australia tomorrow at Mount Maunganui. Sportskeeda looks at the probable playing eleven which India might start their tournament with.

Openers

Prithvi Shaw (c)

The captain and an opening batsman, Prithvi Shaw will be leading from the front with the bat as well as on the field. Shaw is coming off an excellent Ranji season for Mumbai where he slammed three centuries in six matches.

Though Shaw, 18, got only 16 in India's warm-up match against South Africa, he put up a stable opening stand of 54 with Manjot Kalra as India thrashed their opponents by 189 runs.

Manjot Kalra

Providing India with a left-right combination at the top, left-handed Manjot Kalra is a confirmed starter despite throwing away a fluent start of 31 against South Africa in the practice game. Kalra showed his potential with a match-winning 122 against England Under-19 at Chesterfield in July last year and is extremely reliable at the top against the new, swinging ball.

Middle-order

Shubman Gill (vc)

Shubman Gill is the vice-captain of the India Under-19 side

Another very able opener in the India squad, Shubman Gill can also bat in the middle-order and occupy the number three spot. The vice-captain of the Indian Under-19 side, Gill is a proven performer with twin youth ODI centuries against England in their own backyard in 2017 and then a hundred and a half-century each for his Ranji side Punjab this domestic season.

Aryan Juyal (wk)

Wicket-keeper batsman Aryan Juyal smashed 86 in India's warm-up match against South Africa batting at number four. He stitched together a partnership of 138 with Himanshu Rana and hit eight fours and a six in a dominating knock off 92 balls.

Himanshu Rana

Yet another batsman capable of batting in the top order, right-handed Himanshu Rana contributed a near run-a-ball 68 in the company of Aryan Juyal as India comprehensively beat South Africa in the warm-up game. Just like Juyal, Rana also struck eight fours and a six while batting aggressively.

All-rounders

Kamlesh Nagarkoti

Nagarkoti was in great touch in the youth series against England

Medium-fast right-arm bowler Kamlesh Nagarkoti showed good form in the two youth Tests in England, getting 5/49 and 5/63 at Chesterfield, and then 3/20 in a youth ODI at Hove.

Abhishek Sharma

17-year-old Abhishek Sharma represents Punjab in first-class cricket, having made his debut in the just-concluded 2017-18 Ranji season. He played for India Under-19 against England as well as in Malaysia last November, where India played the hosts, Nepal and Bangladesh.

Spinners

Shiva Singh

Shiva Singh (right) took 5/38 against England last year

Another left-arm spinner in the squad, Shiva Singh claimed 2/9 to keep South Africa quiet ahead of the main tournament. Before that, he got 5/38 against England Under-19 at Bristol in 2017 to stake a claim for the squad flying to try and grab the biggest junior trophy in cricket.

Anukul Roy

Anukul Roy might be an upcoming Ravindra Jadeja

Spin-bowling all-rounder Anukul Roy can be tagged as the upcoming Ravindra Jadeja – he bowls left-arm spin and bats left-handed as well. He contributed lower-order runs with a 21-ball 28 in the practice match and bowled seven economical overs for just 31.

Pacers

Shivam Mavi

Shivam Mavi

A capable batsman with the ability to bowl medium-pace, Shivam Mavi was also one of the names to earn a reputation early in his career by performing well against England at home as well as away last year. Good runs and a bagful of wickets put him in contention for the World Cup squad.

Ishan Porel

Right-arm pacer Ishan Porel started out for Bengal in 2017-18, making his Ranji debut against Vidarbha, impressing immediately with 4/139 on debut and then 5/32 against Punjab. In the warm-up against South Africa too, Porel showed form by bagging 4/23.