Delhi trio make India U-19

“Their performances in the Junior national Championships in Bhilai were the key to their selection. The coaches asked me to recommend a few more players. I told them to take all of them,” says Delhi under-19 team coach Ranjit Thapa in jest.

Ankit,with six goals,finished as the top scorer in the tournament while Raghav had three goals to his name. “After finishing as the top scorer in Bhillai (venue for the Junior National Championships),I was expecting a call. But you are never sure until you get the letter in your hand,” says the 18-year old.

His coach adds another dimension to his skills — his expertise in saving goals. “Ankit is a gifted forward with swift movement,but what rates him higher is his ability as a goalkeeper. He is equally good at both. “Our team didn’t have enough goalkeepers in Bhillai. Ankit was ready to do the job but we didn’t need his services,” says Thapa.

Raghav and Ankit have been together for more than five years now,treading the same path. “Ankit and I have been together right from the DDA Academy. We played together for Delhi and now will pair up for the national team. The experience will certainly help,” says Raghav. He might not be as gifted as his striking partner at the DDA academy,but is certainly the quickest learner of the three. “Raghav is the most hard-working as he’s not as gifted as the Ankit. He’s an opportunist and has the ability to score from any position. He and Ankit,with different strengths,need to be preserved for the long run,” adds Thapa.

For custodian Birender Singh,Thapa recommends a bit of experience that can subside his inconsistency. “He’s one of the tallest goalkeepers in the country now. That’s a big asset but he has to back it up with consistency as well,” Thapa added.

At 6’3”,he is indeed tall for his age,and despite being the youngest of the lot,Birender is looking to stand taller in the Indian jersey. “I have been inconsistent. Most of it has been due to overconfidence. It will go as I gain experience,” Singh says. The trio will be joining the national camp in Goa from May 5.