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The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced the India U19 squad for their upcoming tour of Australia, confirming that opening batter Ayush Mhatre will continue to lead the team. The tour, a crucial developmental step for young talents, will feature three one-day matches and two multi-day games against the Australian U19 side, providing invaluable international exposure. Mhatre’s reappointment comes on the back of a successful stint as captain in England, where his leadership guided India to a 3-2 victory in the Youth One-Day series, while the two-match Test series concluded in a hard-fought draw.
Vihaan Malhotra named Ayush Mhatre’s deputy
While Mhatre retains the captaincy, there’s a notable change in the leadership hierarchy for the Australian assignment. Wicketkeeper-batter Abhigyan Kundu, who served as vice-captain during the England tour, remains a key member of the squad. However, the vice-captaincy mantle for the Australia tour has been handed to Vihaan Malhotra, indicating a strategic adjustment in the team’s on-field command structure. The squad largely maintains a core group of players who performed admirably in England, ensuring continuity and familiarity within the ranks. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Rahul Kumar, Harvansh Singh, R.S. Ambrish, Kanishk Chouhan, Henil Patel, D. Deepesh, Anmoljeet Singh and Naman Pushpak have all retained their spots, a testament to their consistent performances. Notably, Deepesh and Pushpak, who initially joined the England tour as injury replacements for Aditya Rana and Khilan Patel respectively, have now cemented their places in the main 18-member squad for Australia, highlighting their impressive contributions.
Some fresh faces selected for Australia tour
The selection committee has also introduced fresh talent and welcomed back a key player for the Australian challenge. Among the significant inclusions are Kishan Kumar, Udhav Mohan and Aman Chauhan, who will be looking to make their mark on the international stage. A particularly welcome return is that of Khilan Patel, who missed the England tour due to a stress reaction in his right leg. His recovery and inclusion will undoubtedly bolster the team’s options. The 18-member contingent features two dedicated wicketkeepers in Abhigyan Kundu and Harvansh Singh, providing depth in that crucial position. Additionally, five players have been named as standbys: Yudhajit Guha, Laxman, BK Kishore, Alankrith Rapole and Arnav Bugga, ready to step in if needed.
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The tour is set to commence on September 21, with Norths hosting all three one-day matches. This venue will also be the site for the first multi-day game, scheduled from September 30 to October 3. The second multi-day encounter will then shift to Mackay, taking place from October 7 to 10.
India U19 squad for Australia tour:
Ayush Mhatre (c), Vihaan Malhotra (vc), Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Vedant Trivedi, Rahul Kumar, Abhigyan Kundu (wk), Harvansh Singh (wk), R S Ambrish, Kanishk Chouhan, Naman Pushpak, Henil Patel, D Deepesh, Kishan Kumar, Anmoljeet Singh, Khilan Patel, Udhav Mohan, Aman Chauhan
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