New Delhi, Dec 13 (NationPress) Following a dominant 234-run victory against UAE in their opening match of the Men’s U19 Asia Cup, India has paved the way for its final preparations for the upcoming World Cup in Zimbabwe and Namibia.

In their last appearance at the U19 Men’s World Cup, India finished as runners-up to Australia in 2024. This time, under the leadership of Ayush Mhatre, the team is eager to secure an unprecedented sixth title.

Former India opener Wasim Jaffer, who has recently coached players in the India A team during the U19 Challenger Trophy and also the India B squad in a series against Afghanistan, has expressed confidence in the team’s ability to overcome challenges and strive for success.

“There’s no doubt about their immense talent. With the return of Ayush Mhatre and Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who were absent during the challengers and triangular series, the outlook is promising,” Jaffer stated.

“I’ve worked closely with many players like Vihaan Malhotra, and they possess significant potential. The BCCI, along with VVS Laxman and his team, has done an excellent job keeping these players together for an extended period, allowing them to gain valuable experience in England and Australia.”

“The camaraderie among players is commendable, as they have developed a strong understanding of each other through consistent play. I believe they are adequately prepared for the challenges ahead, including the Asia Cup and World Cup, which we haven’t won in a while,” Jaffer remarked in an exclusive interview with IANS.

However, Jaffer pointed out that the U19 batches from 2020 onwards have struggled to produce players transitioning to the senior team. “After the 2018 group consisting of Shubman Gill, Arshdeep Singh, Abhishek Sharma, Riyan Parag, and Prithvi Shaw, along with the 2020 batch featuring Yashasvi Jaiswal, Tilak Varma, Dhruv Jurel, and Ravi Bishnoi, there have been no under-19 players making it to the senior team,” he observed.

“It’s crucial for the upcoming talents like Vaibhav, Ayush Mhatre, Abhigyan Kundu, Vihaan Malhotra, and Harvansh Singh to ascend to the next level. This is the primary challenge now – ensuring that the under-19 boys perform at the highest level, which hasn’t been evident in the last couple of batches.”

“There is a pressing need for the under-19 players to transition smoothly into international cricket and the IPL, which has become increasingly significant. Whether they can secure positions in their state teams as they should remains a concern. However, I believe this transition is essential to demonstrate that young talent can compete with senior players, which is a significant task,” he elaborated.

Jaffer, a multiple-time Ranji Trophy winner with Mumbai and Vidarbha, is among the few coaches who have worked with both Under-19 and senior teams. When asked about the difference in coaching at these levels, he said, “These players are still developing. They often play against the same group from U14 to U19, which can create a comfort zone. But stepping out of the U19 category presents a substantial leap as there are no age restrictions, and the competition intensifies.”

“The players may become accustomed to a familiar environment, but facing international teams challenges their limits,” he added.

Despite India's historical supremacy at the U19 level, recent years have not yielded significant trophies. India last claimed the U19 Asia Cup in 2021 and were runners-up to two-time champions Bangladesh in the previous year. “I firmly believe the Indian team is significantly ahead of other international squads in terms of talent. The challenge will be to achieve the results we desire,” Jaffer concluded.

India's quest for World Cup glory is further enhanced by Mhatre's commendable performance for Mumbai in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, despite an unremarkable outing at The ICC Academy in Dubai. Suryavanshi’s remarkable score of 171 against UAE, along with impressive performances for Bihar and India A, signifies his readiness. Jaffer believes that the senior cricket exposure will greatly aid the India U19 side.

“It's crucial, as Vaibhav has excelled for Bihar, and Ayush Mhatre has notably performed for Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy and India A. However, they must avoid complacency, as it can happen when moving between levels. I’m confident that won’t be the case since they are engaged in numerous matches.”

“With the World Cup ahead, they will undoubtedly face significant challenges. The experience gained at the highest levels, including the Ranji Trophy, Duleep Trophy, or Vijay Hazare Trophy, is invaluable. Transitioning out of age group cricket and competing against experienced players will enhance their mindset. This experience will undoubtedly fortify this Indian team,” he concluded.