New Delhi: The Under-19 World Cup is set to commence on 15 January, with the Indian team beginning their campaign against the USA. Former Indian fast bowler Varun Aaron has advised the young players to focus on playing their natural game as they prepare for the tournament.
Varun Aaron emphasized that the preparation for the upcoming World Cup requires the Under-19 players to be themselves, as this phase of their life will never come back. Speaking on ‘JioStar’, he said, “Under-19 cricket is a platform for self-expression. At every level, even Under-14, there is always pressure to perform well, but the coaches of this group want the players to play freely and show their natural game on the field. These Under-19 years never return. This is the stage where they just have to be themselves.”
Before the World Cup, the Indian Under-19 team is engaged in a three-match Youth ODI series against South Africa. India won the first match of the series by 25 runs under the Duckworth-Lewis method. This series is part of the preparation for the mega event.
Due to injuries, captain Ayush Mhatre and Vihan Malhotra are not part of the South Africa series but will be included in the Under-19 World Cup squad.
The Indian team will face the USA on 15 January, followed by a match against Bangladesh on 17 January. Their last group match is scheduled against New Zealand on 24 January.
The Men’s Under-19 World Cup 2026 features 16 teams divided into four groups of four. Each team will play the other three teams in its group during the initial round. The top three teams from each group will advance to the Super 6 stage, from where the top four teams will qualify for the semifinals.
The semifinals will be held on 3 and 4 February in Bulawayo and Harare, while the final match is scheduled for 6 February at the Harare Sports Club.
My name is Bhupendra Singh Chundawat. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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