Hitman Rohit Sharma backs Priyam Garg led U-19 squad to return with World Cup

Indian opener Rohit Sharma pinned his hopes on U-19 skipper Priyam Garg and co to bring home World Cup and backed squad to lift  Cup saying that y looked as solid as India always does. India's Under-19 captain Priyam Garg has revealed that he sought former skipper Prithvi Shaw's advice on planning and team bonding during his preparations to lead side's world title defence from January 17 to February 9 in South Africa. Before Under-19 World Cup, India colts are scheduled to travel to South Africa for three one-day matches against Proteas U-19 side, followed by a Quadrangular Series featuring South Africa U-19, India U-19, Zimbabwe U-19 and New Zealand U-19. Rohit Sharma backed youngsters to have freedom to play shots that y think were right and said that India's world-class coaching will ensure success of side. India have won competition four times since 1988, making m most successful side in tournament. 

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Rohit Sharma's advice for Priyam Garg & co

“Our team looks very strong, as always. We won last time. I wouldn’t say that we will win this year as well. I am sure about one thing — y are going to play really hard. y have got great coaching staff. Of course, it’s a big platform, and in big platforms, India team generally tends to do well. I hope y bring Cup back home,” Rohit Sharma said as per PTI.

“re is thing harm in playing big shots, trying to play a flamboyant cover drive. When we were growing up and used to play shots in air, we were taken out of nets, which was t right because eventually, you want results,” said Rohit.

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“I would encour that to play shots if y want to, but at same time, y need to understand that y need to produce results, that’s game. You score 100 off 50 balls or 200 balls; it doesn’t matter; it still is a hundred.

“I mean if guy is confident in his skills, I would back that skill. re should t be any restriction on how se young players want to bat. y should be allowed to bat freely; that’s how y will produce results.”

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Priyam Garg on captaining side

"I am seeing it only as an opportunity to captain a team in such a big tournament. We've played so many events, so that's an advant for us. As a captain, all I'm thinking about is how to take my team forward... how to navigate team out of difficult situations," Garg said. India U-19 head coach Paras Mhambrey said team is balanced and practice games ahead of tournament will provide room for experimenting with a few combinations. " good thing is that we're a very balanced side. (We have) seaming all-rounders, spinning all-rounders, quality fast bowlers and batsmen as well. So, those games in South Africa give us an opportunity to experiment and try a few combinations. In case we face such conditions, n we kw right steps."You go in with one kind of mindset, but conditions may t turn out that way. Teams that are flexible will always do well. We're looking at doing that too. We've spoken about it and we're lucky to have a balanced XV," Mhambrey added. 13th edition of U-19 World Cup will be played among 16 teams, split into four groups.

India are placed in Group A with first-time qualifier Japan, New Zealand and Sri Lanka. top two teams from each group will qualify for Super League st. 

(With PTI inputs)

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