Left-arm quick Ravikumar is the only cricketer from Bengal to have been selected in the India U-19 squad for next year’s U-19 World Cup to be played in the West Indies.
Another Bengal player, Amrit Raj Upadhyay, has been included among the five standbys. The World Cup starts from January 14 and the India team, to be led by Yash Dhull, begins its campaign on January 15 versus South Africa at Providence.
The squad, currently at the NCA in Bangalore, is set to leave for the UAE on Monday for the upcoming U-19 Asia Cup beginning from December 23. Hrishikesh Kanitkar could be named as head coach of the team.
It is a big reward for Ravikumar in what also was his first season for Bengal U-19. “When he came through the trials, we worked on his fitness a lot. He was a bit thin then but is much stronger now,” Bengal U-19 coach and former national selector Devang Gandhi said.
“The best part about his bowling is he can bring the ball in really well and is accurate,” Devang added.
Ravikumar was obviously elated. “When I was selected for Bengal U-19, my aim was to get an India call-up. I gave my all, learnt with every step and worked hard,” he said.
