Virat Kohli, Sarfraz Ahmed and Brian Lara among past Under-19 World Cup captains

Ajit Vijaykumar 16:06 02/02/2018
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  • The Under-19 World Cups are serious business now. Even though it is played by teenagers, the stakes are very high now because talented youngsters not only get a chance to make it to the senior side but also their national Twenty20 league with a big fat cheque alongside.

    It is said captaincy at the Under-19 level is not to be taken too seriously as almost all the main decisions are taken by the coach and management, with the leader on the field expected to execute it and possibly tweak it according to match situation.

    Even so, there have been quite a few players who have captained at the Under-19 World Cups and gone on to lead the senior team. The bar has been set high for India’s current U19 skipper Prithvi Shaw and his Aussie counterpart Jason Sangha.

    Here are the top 10 captains from previous U19 World Cups.

    VIRAT KOHLI (2008)

  • ICC U19 World Cup: Pakistan’s Shaheen Afridi among the top five players from the tournament

  • The 2008 edition was the first time the world got a glimpse of the emotionally charged leadership of Kohli. He led the boys in blue to the title with a 12-run win over South Africa in the final. Needless to say, the spark is still there.

    SARFRAZ AHMED (2006)

    The wicketkeeper batsman was in charge when Pakistan beat India in one of the most scintillating U19 finals. Pakistan defended 109 by reducing the Indians to nine for six. He led the senior side to another crushing win over the same opposition in last year’s ICC Champions Trophy.

    MICHAEL CLARKE (2000)

    ‘Pup’ led the Aussies to the semi-finals of the 2000 Under-19 World Cup where they lost to India. However, he didn’t feature in the semi-final clash. Scored a fifty to help the senior team beat New Zealand in the 2015 World Cup final.

    KANE WILLIAMSON (2008)

    Another player who was destined for greatness from an early age. Led the Kiwis to the semi-finals of the 2008 edition where they lost a close game to India by three wickets. Has blossomed into one of the finest all-format batsmen and captains.

    MIKE ATHERTON (1988)

    When the tournament was called the Youth World Cup, a certain Mike Atherton led the English side at the U19 tournament. The competition included a future All-Star bunch that included Inzamam Ul-Haq, Sanath Jayasuriya, Brian Lara and Nasser Hussain. Went on to captain the Test team 54 times, became one of the most astute openers and is currently a fine cricket writer.

    BRIAN LARA (1988)

    The same edition in which Atherton captained England, Lara led the Caribbean side. Captained his side to the semi-final where they lost to Pakistan by just two wickets. Retired as one of the most decorated batsman of all-time with the highest individual Test score of 400 next to his name.

    EOIN MORGAN (2006)

    The current England captain led the Irish side that beat Uganda in the Plate Championship play-off to finish 13th at the 2006 U19 World Cup. Dublin-born Morgan hit an unbeaten 60 in the match. Now captains a side considered one of the best limited-overs outfits in the world.

    ROSS TAYLOR (2002)

    The Kiwi batsman captained his side at the U19 tournament at home. His side made it to the Super League stage after winning three group games. Taylor captained the Kiwis in 14 Tests and 201 ODIs.

    MUSHFIQUR RAHIM (2006)

    The Bangladeshi keeper was in charge during the 2006 edition. The Tigers finished fifth after defeating the Sri Lanka by 98 runs in the play-off final. Has captained the senior team in Tests 34 times, by far the most by any Bangladeshi.

    ANGELO MATHEWS (2006)

    The Sri Lankan all-rounder had been earmarked as a future star and captain during his school days. Captained the side in the 2006 edition and went on to become one of the finest players produced by his country. Led his team in Tests 34 times – fourth most by a Sri Lankan.

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