Just over a month remains for the U-19 World Cup, which is scheduled to begin from January 14 in the Caribbean.

Though the colts haven’t played enough matches for more than a season due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Vinoo Mankad Trophy, One-day Challengers and the just-concluded tri-series at Eden Gardens have provided the U-19 players with some much-needed game time. Besides, a camp at the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore will be held this month, focusing on the players’ skills and fitness.

The squad for the World Cup is likely to be announced within the next few days,

Hrishikesh Kanitkar, who coached the India U-19 A team during the tri-series at the Eden, seems pleased with the overall progress of the players. “Yeah, they’re preparing well.

“Due to Covid-19, zonal camps weren’t possible for a long time. So these guys haven’t had the opportunity to play enough matches together. But the circumstances are better now,” Kanitkar, also in the fray along with Sairaj Bahutule (currently bowling coach of India A on the ongoing South Africa tour) to become India U-19 head coach for the World Cup, told The Telegraph from Pune on Wednesday.

The performance of the two India U-19 teams in the recent tri-series wasn’t impressive as they failed to beat eventual winners Bangladesh U-19 in the competition. That doesn’t seem to be much of a concern, though, for Kanitkar.

“These are good players and the more they stay and play together, our squad will only get stronger. In the next few days, hopefully, we’ll come to know of what we need to do,” the 47-year-old, who represented India in two Tests and 34 ODIs as a batting all-rounder, said.

In the World Cup, India are placed in Group B alongside South Africa, Ireland and Uganda. They begin their campaign on January 15 against South Africa at Guyana.