Can the Indian youths make it to big league?

The Under-19 World Cup is over and the future Indian stars have been identified. But the big question is will they make it to the big league? How far will they go from here? The talent of players like Md Kaif, Yuveraj Singh and RS Sodhi has been evident for some time. These budding cricketers have now to be given enough opportunities and the Challenger Series to be played at Ahmedabad from February 10 to 13 is perhaps the best avenue to give them the exposure. After all, they could be the answer to the sagging morale of the seniors and may well fill the vacant middle order and allrounder slots.

These are the type of cricketers the senior team needs now. Allrounders. Not just bits and pieces cricketers but those who can bat, bowl and field in ample measure, with a touch of dynamism. Cricketers in the mould similar to the seniors who won the World Cup for India in 1983. This is what the coach of the victorious under-19 team Roger Binny had to say about the boys: ``The two teams are very similar in the strength of the batting, the all-round strength and the fighting qualities."

Yuveraj has shown that he has the temperament for both versions of the game and has performed remarkably in the Under-19 games this season. He has been scoring heavily with a triple hundred in the Cooch Behar Trophy tournament and has been amongst the wickets too. He seems to be a sure bet for the future. But the question is will he get the break? And when? One hopes that the selectors have taken note of his performance for he possesses all the qualities of a determined player, capable of handling pressure situations well.

RS Sodhi has been in the news for some time now. He has won two man of the match awards - both of them in World Cup finals four years apart. He is a mature and confident youngster and has abundant natural ability which one saw during the course of the World Cup. His batting, bowling and fielding was excellent.

Md Kaif showed that he had a good cricketing brain throughout the tournament. His batting and bowling was consistent. He was relaxed and not once did the pressure show on his face. Maybe he is the kind of a man who can make it big in the now fragile middle order of the senior team.

Ravneet Ricky has shown both the ideal temperament and technique for an opener. His 108 against Australia was a gem. One can expect him to fill the rather unsettled opening spot of the seniors team.

Shalabh Sriwastava's bowling had variety and deception and troubled most of the batsmen in the tournament. He can add variety to the team with his left arm fast medium.

All these players have the ability and talent and one only hopes that they are not ignored by groupism and petty politiking. For these lads are the millennium finds of Indian cricket.