India Under-19 cricket team coach Rahul Dravid believes his side has the potential and talent to do well in the U-19 World Cup, starting in Bangladesh on January 27.
India will face rivals Australia in their opening match to be held at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur on January 28. The three-time winners (2000, 2008, 2012), India have been clubbed in Group D alongside another three-time champions Australia, New Zealand and Nepal.
“They have potential and good young talent to perform well. Hopefully, they will grow as players and people and not just look at results. I hope they go on playing and represent the senior team and bring laurels for the country,” Dravid said here yesterday. Jharkhand wicketkeeper-batsman Ishan Kishan will lead India’s 15-man squad. Kishan had recently led India colts to a series win in a tri-nation tournament also involving Sri Lanka and England. Two weeks before that, India had won another tri-nation tournament involving Bangladesh and Afghanistan in Kolkata.
“For me coaching and mentoring at the U-19 level is really helping young people on their journey which I had experienced myself when I was at that age. It gives me a platform to share my experiences, some of the learning I had over 20 years in sport,” the legendary batsman said.
“To be able to help lot of young cricketers and fulfilling their dreams and making their journey possibly a little bit easier, it is sometimes a difficult, competitive, tough environment. It is really a fun part to coach a cricket team after I have retired.”