Samit Dravid, a versatile player, has been chosen for the first time to represent India’s Under-19 side in the upcoming series against Australia Under-19. The series will take place in India during September and October.
This selection represents a noteworthy achievement in Dravid’s emerging cricket career, as he emulates his father’s success, the former captain and coach of the Indian cricket team, Rahul Dravid.
The selection of Samit Dravid for the team emphasizes his outstanding results in recent domestic events.
The 18-year-old cricketer debuted in the Maharaja T20 Trophy, a senior men’s T20 league, where he played for the Mysuru Warriors.
Despite his unimpressive performance with the bat, scoring 82 runs at a strike rate of 114 in seven innings, his participation in a senior-level competition at a young age demonstrates his promise and the selectors’ confidence in his ability.
Although Dravid has the skills of a competent medium-pace bowler, he was not allowed to bowl throughout the competition.
His inclusion in the India Under-19 team coincided with the day the Mysuru Warriors were supposed to compete in the semi-final of the Maharaja T20 Trophy, emphasizing the importance of this chance even more.
Dravid played a crucial part in Karnataka’s victory in the Cooch Behar Trophy, a four-day event for cricketers under the age of 19, earlier this year.
His overall effort was pivotal to Karnataka’s triumph, as he amassed 362 runs and secured 16 wickets in eight matches.
The significance of his performance in the final against Mumbai, where he successfully claimed two crucial wickets, was particularly remarkable.
Undoubtedly, his impressive performance in the Cooch Behar Trophy influenced his selection for the national Under-19 squad.
The next series against Australia Under-19 allows Samit Dravid and his teammates to demonstrate their abilities on an international level.
The series commences with a trio of 50-over matches in Puducherry, slated for September 21, 23, and 26. After completing the one-day games, the teams will compete in two four-day matches in Chennai, commencing September 30 and October 7.
These games will assess the abilities of the young cricketers and offer them priceless exposure as they strive to move from domestic to international cricket.
The India Under-19 squad for the series has a combination of up-and-coming young players hailing from various regions of the country.
Mohamed Amaan, a batsman positioned in the middle-order, has been designated as the captain of the 50-over squad.
Soham Patwardhan from Madhya Pradesh will assume team leadership in the four-day contests. The squads consist of a combination of players who have already established their reputation in domestic cricket and those on the verge of advancing to the next level.
Rudra Patel from Gujarat has been appointed vice-captain in the 50-over squad, with Sahil Parakh, Kartikeya KP, Kiran Chormale, and Abhigyan Kundu identified as prominent players.
The four-day team comprises Vaibhav Suryavanshi from Bihar and Nitya Pandya from Baroda, with Vihan Malhotra appointed vice-captain.
Including players such as Chetan Sharma, Samarth N, and Nikhil Kumar in both forms demonstrates the selectors’ belief in their competence to excel in many circumstances and formats.
Samit Dravid’s inclusion in the India Under-19 squad is evidence of his increasing recognition as a talented allrounder.
As he enters the field for the forthcoming series against Australia Under-19, all attention will be focused on him to observe how he manages the stress and fulfills the expectations linked to his cricketing heritage.
This series can be a crucial milestone in his progress towards representing India at the highest level.