India U-19 speedster Sandeep to bank on experience for World Cup challenge

Touted as one of the best young fast bowling talents in India,Sandeep Sharma is itching to land in Australia for the ICC U-19 World Cup later this year.

Touted as one of the best young fast bowling talents in India,Sandeep Sharma is itching to land in Australia for the ICC U-19 World Cup later this year. Part of the Indian team,Sandeep will lead the Indian quick bowling attack in the WC and is quite hopeful of the team’s chances. “The pitches there excite me as there will be bounce. I hope we do well as a team,” says the pacer from Patiala.

Three months ago,Indian U-19 team were in Australia for the Quadrangular Series and the Punjab pacer,was the bowling spearhead in the team’s title victory over the hosts,taking a four-wicket haul in the final. With eight wickets in four matches,Sandeep had emerged the maximum wicket-taker for India. “We learnt a lot as a team from the last Australian tour. Though we struggled to adjust in the conditions initially there but we got hold of the things match by match. I think the experience we had during the tournament will help us a great deal. The wickets are bouncy and quick,and the bowlers and batsmen need to adjust and perform according to them. Except for South Africa,the India U-19 team has faced all major teams of the world in the last one year. We have gone through the videos of these teams on several occasions,so we have some idea about the top-players of the various teams,” the 19-year-old said. India has been clubbed in a pool with known teams like West Indies and Zimbabwe.

India U-19 team has had a good run in the last one year. Having won back to back quadrangular series in India and Australia,the Indian Colts were declared joint winners in the Asia Cup in Malaysia along with Pakistan a few days back. Sandeep,the most experienced player in the India U-19 squad,thinks that by having the same set of players attending camps and also playing in international tournaments together for over a year now,has given the Indian team the edge over other teams: “Our team combination is too good. We know about each other’s strengths and weaknesses. Our coach B Arun has been working with us,inspiring us and guiding us as a unit. We are friends,team mates and also each other’s best critics. We tend to lift our game when down and we will put a a good show in WC.” Sandeep was also part of the India U-19 WC team that played in the last WC held in New Zealand.

Having made his Ranji Trophy debut for Punjab in 2011,Sandeep felt that he has evolved as a cricketer and wants to use the experience and confidence to the best. He shared,”Winning the World Cup would be like a dream come true. My whole energy is on mental and physical toughness. I have played against all teams in the last four years. Meanwhile,I have learned a lot from coaches,senior players and incorporated the required shortcomings in my bowling. Right now,I think I am in the best frame of mind to perform at the top-level. When I was in NCA in Bangalore during a camp,I happened to interact with Zaheer Khan. The chat was not only enriching but an inspiring one. Despite injuries,he has played for over 12 years. Zaheer Bhai told me not to bowl for the wickets but instead keep bowling at disciplined line and length.” The Indian team will attend a conditioning camp in Bangalore before flying to Australia for the event.

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