New Delhi, Dec 13 (NationPress) Following a dominant 234-run win against UAE in their first match of the Men’s U19 Asia Cup, India has established a strong foundation for their final preparations leading up to the World Cup in Zimbabwe and Namibia next year.

The last appearance of India in the U19 Men’s World Cup concluded with them as runners-up to Australia in 2024. This time, under the captaincy of Ayush Mhatre, the team is eager to take home an unprecedented sixth title.

Former Indian opener Wasim Jaffer, who recently collaborated with current players in the India A team during the U19 Challenger Trophy and the India B side in the tri-series with Afghanistan, has expressed confidence in the team's ability to conquer all hurdles in their quest for success.

“Clearly, they are exceptionally talented. There’s no doubt about this. With players like Ayush Mhatre and Vaibhav Suryavanshi returning, who missed the Challengers and triangular series, it presents a promising outlook,” he stated.

“I have worked with several players like Vihaan Malhotra, who are incredibly gifted and possess significant potential. The BCCI, along with VVS Laxman and his team, have effectively kept this group together for an extended period, allowing them to gain experience in England and Australia.”

“The camaraderie among the players, cultivated through their prolonged time together, is commendable. Hence, I believe they are prepared for the upcoming challenges in the Asia Cup and World Cup, which has eluded us for some time,” Jaffer remarked during an exclusive interview with IANS.

However, Jaffer pointed out that the U19 batches following 2020 have struggled to produce players advancing to the senior team. “It’s evident that since the 2018 group featuring Shubman Gill, Arshdeep Singh, Abhishek Sharma, Riyan Parag, and Prithvi Shaw, as well as the 2020 cohort with Yashasvi Jaiswal, Tilak Varma, Dhruv Jurel, and Ravi Bishnoi, there have been no U19 players who transitioned to represent India.”

“This transition has been lacking for the last one or two batches, and it is crucial that it occurs. Players like Vaibhav, Ayush Mhatre, Abhigyan Kundu, Vihaan Malhotra, and Harvansh Singh are immensely talented, and we aspire for them to reach the next level. The primary challenge now is for the U19 boys to perform at the highest level, which has not happened for the last one or two batches,” he elaborated.

“My only concern is that it is vital for the U19 boys to transition into international cricket and the IPL as well. The IPL has now become such a significant tournament, and whether they can easily join their state teams remains uncertain. I believe this transition must happen to showcase that young talent can challenge senior players, which I consider to be the biggest task,” he clarified.

Jaffer, a multiple-time Ranji Trophy winner with Mumbai and Vidarbha, is among the select coaches who have worked with both U19 and senior teams. On the differences in coaching these two levels, he remarked, “They are undeniably a work in progress. Given that this is age-group cricket, there are times when they continuously play with the same players, progressing from U14, U16 to U19, thus becoming familiar with their opponents.”

“This sometimes fosters a comfort zone among the players. However, stepping beyond the U19 level presents a significant challenge, as they enter the adult competition without age restrictions. This shift can be daunting, especially as U19 players are accustomed to a specific environment. Competing against international teams will truly test their mettle.”

Despite India’s historical supremacy at the U19 level, recent years have seen a lack of trophies. The last time India clinched the U19 Asia Cup was in 2021, and they finished as runners-up last year to two-time champions Bangladesh. “I firmly believe the Indian team is several steps ahead of other international squads. We are exceptionally talented, and the challenge will be to secure the results we need,” Jaffer concluded.

Another factor bolstering India’s World Cup aspirations is Mhatre's strong performance for Mumbai in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, even though his outing at The ICC Academy in Dubai on Friday was less memorable. Meanwhile, Suryavanshi shone brightly with a score of 171 against UAE, coming off impressive innings for Bihar and India A. Jaffer is optimistic that the duo’s experience in senior cricket will significantly enhance the India U19 team.

“It is crucial because Vaibhav has performed well for Bihar, and Ayush Mhatre has shown promise in Ranji Trophy and India A matches. However, they must avoid complacency. Sometimes, after competing at a higher level, returning to age-group matches can lead to a more relaxed approach, but I am confident that won't be the case as they are participating in numerous matches.”

“With the World Cup around the corner, they will have specific tasks ahead. I believe playing at the highest level—not just for the Indian team but in tournaments like Ranji Trophy, Duleep Trophy, or Vijay Hazare Trophy—greatly benefits U19 players. The mentality of only playing against age-group peers can limit their perspective.”

“Transitioning to play among adults alters your mindset. You focus solely on the game rather than age, enhancing their overall experience and fortifying the Indian team,” he concluded.