Indian Test skipper Virat Kohli delivered a message wishing the Under-19 side success in the upcoming ICC Under-19 World Cup which is set to be held in Bangladesh beginning January 27th. India warmed up to the tournament in style with a mammoth 372-run victory over Canada in a warm-up game on Saturday and will take on arch-rivals Pakistan in the second warm-up game on Monday.
That victory over Canada ensured that India continues to be talked about as one of the favourites for the tournament and having a rich history in the tournament, having been crowned champions thrice in 2000, 2008 and 2012, Kohli is hopeful that the young Indian side led by Ishan Kishan can bring more laurels for the country.
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Kohli himself knows a thing or two about the tournament having led the U-19 side to victory in 2008 in a side that also featured current Indian cricketers like Ravindra Jadeja and Manish Pandey, the latter having scored his maiden ODI century to give India its only victory in the recently concluded 5-match ODI series against Australia.
Kohli advised the youngsters to express themselves and to ensure that they make the most of the opportunity presented to them.
“I would like to wish the Indian U-19 team all the very best for the U-19 Cricket World Cup. It’s a great event, a great opportunity for the guys to express their talent and catch the eye of the world. That’s the opportunity we had and later on, our journey started. So let’s hope the journey starts for a number of players from our squad in this World Cup and bring the trophy back home. Hope you guys do really well” Kohli told BCCI.tv
The 27-year-old, who recently became the quickest to 7000 runs as well as 25 centuries in 50-over cricket, reminded the young cricketers that the World Cup is a great way to catch the eye of the cricket world, just had he had done back in 2008.
“The U-19 World Cup is a brilliant platform for youngsters to perform at a global stage because the matches being aired live on television, it’s a great opportunity for the youngsters to go out there and express the talent that they have. You get to impress a lot of people in the cricket world because everyone watches keenly who are the next crop of players coming up who might have the ability to play for the international sides eventually,” he said.
“It worked a great deal for me and a few of the other teammates from my side and I hope it really works for a few of the guys from this current team as well. All the best guys,” Kohli said signing off.
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