Kamlesh Nagarkoti and Shivam Mavi shine in India's Under-19 World Cup opener

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  • Kamlesh Nagarkoti touched 149 kph in India's win over Australia.

    India opened their ICC Under-19 World Cup campaign in style with a 100-run win over Australia at Tauranga on Sunday.

    Skipper Prithvi Shaw‘s 94-run knock set the foundation of India’s total of 328-7.

    The 18-year-old has continued to live up to the hype of his supreme talents after hitting a record-breaking 546 four years ago.

    However, the most pleasing aspects of the Indian colts’ win over Australia were the displays of pacers Shivam Mavi and Kamlesh Nagarkoti.

    Both youngsters picked up three-wickets each but it was the numbers they clocked on the speed gun that raised eyebrows.

    The duo regularly bowled around the 145 kph mark and had the Aussie batmen beaten for pace multiple times.

    More than the raw speed, it was the smoothness in the actions of both the right-armed quicks that paints the picture of a bright future ahead of them.

    Nagarkoti fastest delivery of the match was clocked at 149 kph while Mavi touched 146 kph.

    Nagarkoti, an 18-year-old, hails from Rajasthan and has already created history when he became the first-ever bowler from the state to take a List-A hat-trick last year.

    Mavi, a 19-year-old from Uttar Pradesh, is more than capable with the bat to complement his bowling.

    Shivam Mavi is more than handy with the bat too.

    Shivam Mavi is more than handy with the bat too.

    The pair’s effortlessness in generating such pace is a positive sign for the future of Indian cricket which has always been thirsting for genuine speedsters.

    While the likes of Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah all bowl above the 140 kph mark, India have not had a splendid history with premium fast-bowlers.

    Many young guns have been touted to be the next big thing in fast-bowling only to later disappear or fizzle out into medium-pacers over the course of their careers.

    The likes of Munaf Patel and Varun Aaaron spring to mind when talking about such cases.

    Hence, the emergence of the Mavi and Nagarkoti and their effortless ease bodes well for the future and one hopes that the BCCI will do their best to nurture this natural gift and not let it go to waste.

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