The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially disclosed the lineup for the India U19 team set to compete in the upcoming ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup 2023. Consisting of a robust 15-player squad, the governing body has also designated three standby players for the journey.

Uday Saharan will lead the team, supported by Saumy Kumar Pandey as vice-captain. The squad includes wicketkeepers Aravelly Avanish Rao and Innesh Mahajan, providing a platform for emerging talents to showcase their skills and solidify their presence in the U19 Asia Cup.

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Defending champions India, with a remarkable eight-time title record, aspire to clinch their ninth victory. In addition to the primary squad and standby players, BCCI has identified four reserve players who will not join the touring contingent.

These young players, having demonstrated their prowess in domestic cricket, now have a significant opportunity to make a name for themselves. The tournament is scheduled to commence on December 8th, with India commencing their campaign against Afghanistan at the ICC Academy Oval – 1.

India U19 squad:Arshin Kulkarni, Adarsh Singh, Rudra Mayur Patel, Sachin Dhas, Priyanshu Moliya, Musheer Khan, Uday Saharan (C), Aravelly Avanish Rao (WK), Saumy Kumar Pandey (VC), Murugan Abhishek, Innesh Mahajan (WK), Dhanush Gowda, Aaradhya Shukla, Raj Limbani, Naman Tiwari

Travelling standby players: Prem Devkar, Ansh Gosai, Md. Amaan

Reserve players: Digvijay Patil, Jayanth Goyat, P Vignesh, Kiran Chormale.

ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup 2023 Schedule:

The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced the relocation of the upcoming Under-19 World Cup from Sri Lanka to South Africa. This decision follows the recent suspension of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) by the ICC due to administrative uncertainty.

The ICC took action on November 10, suspending SLC with immediate effect, citing a breach of obligations as a member, particularly in managing its affairs autonomously and without government interference. The move came in the aftermath of Sri Lanka’s Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe dismissing the entire SLC board following the national team’s disappointing performance in the World Cup, where they finished in the ninth position out of ten teams and failed to qualify for the 2025 Champions Trophy.

Despite Ranasinghe appointing former World Cup-winning captain Arjuna Ranatunga to head an interim committee for SLC, the Sri Lankan Court of Appeal issued a two-week stay order on this decision, reinstating the SLC regime led by President Shammi Silva. Subsequently, the Sri Lankan parliament’s resolution seeking the removal of the cricket board played a pivotal role in the ICC’s decision to relocate the Under-19 World Cup.

Under-19 World Cup Relocated to South Africa Amid Sri Lanka Cricket Turmoil

In the aftermath of the upheaval within Sri Lanka Cricket, the ICC has decided to move the upcoming edition of the Under-19 World Cup to South Africa, as reported by Cricbuzz. The decision was reached during an ongoing ICC board meeting in Ahmedabad.

According to the report, the ICC has affirmed its decision to suspend the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) after thorough deliberation. Despite the suspension being upheld, the ICC assures that cricket involving the Sri Lankan team will proceed without interruption.

“It was a unanimous decision by the board that the suspension cannot be lifted. Cricket in the country will continue as normal,” a source informed Cricbuzz.

Originally slated to take place in Sri Lanka in January and February of the next year, the Under-19 World Cup was set to be the country’s third hosting, following the competitions in 2000 and 2006. With the relocation, South Africa steps in as the new host, and the tournament is expected to feature 16 participating teams.

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India have made history and in style. The Shafali Verma-led team is now the first-ever champions of the U19 Women’s T20 World Cup. After a superb bowling show that saw dismissing England for just 68, reached the target in just 14 overs. “It is just a proud moment, its our first world cup,” said Gongadi Trisha (24) with stumps in her hand after the memorable win. The win on Sunday also reaffirms India’s dominance at the U-19 level with the boys winning the world title in the Caribbean last year.

“Women’s Cricket in India is on the upswing and the World Cup triumph has taken the stature of women’s cricket several notches higher. I am delighted to announce INR 5 crore for the entire team and support staff as prize money. This is surely a path-breaking year,” BCCI secretary Jay Shah tweeted after the win. India’s bowling attack, led by pacer Titas Sadhu and supported by leg-spinner Parshavi Chopra, set up the comprehensive win on Sunday as they blew England away with a clinical display at Senwes Park.

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India U19 bowlers dismantle England, lift inaugural U19 Women’s T20 World Cup

While Sadhu showed that Indian women pace bowling is in safe hands following the retirement of Jhulan Goswami with impressive figures of 4-0-6-2, Chopra too continued her dream run as she snapped two for 13. Archana Devi also scalped 2 for 17, while Mannat Kashyap (1/13), Shafali(1/16) and Sonam Yadav (1/3) accounted for one wicket each as England were all at sea after being asked to take first strike.

Following a pep talk from India’s Olympic champion javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra, India came out with a specific plan and executed it perfectly as England’s innings never really took off after being reduced to 16 for three in four overs. Chasing 69, Shafali started with a boundary off Hannah Baker before launching Sophia Smale for a maximum. But Baker came back to get rid of the India skipper, who was caught by Alexa Stonehouse in the 3rd over. Her opening and team’s best batter in the tournament, Shweta Sehrawat, also was back in the hut after giving a simple catch to Baker off Grace Scrivens in the fourth over.