Samit Dravid likely to miss 4-dayers against Australia Under-19s
Samit Dravid, a rising star in the India Under-19 cricket team, is likely to miss out on the upcoming four-day clashes against Australia Under-19s. This comes on the heels of him sitting out the recent three-match one-day series due to a knee injury. The young all-rounder, who happens to be the son of Indian batting legend Rahul Dravid, is currently receiving treatment at the National Cricket Academy (NCA).
Coach Kanitkar expresses uncertainty over Dravid's recovery
India Under-19s' coach Hrishikesh Kanitkar isn't so sure about Samit's recovery timeline. He said, "As of now he's at the NCA, recovering from his knee injury." Kanitkar further added that while they don't have a clear idea of when Dravid will be back on the field, it seems unlikely that he'll be fit for the four-dayers in Chennai.
Dravid's journey and future prospects in cricket
Samit got his first call-up to the India Under-19s squad after showcasing his skills in the Maharaja T20 trophy for Mysuru Warriors. He was also instrumental in Karnataka's triumph at the Cooch Behar Trophy. But there's a catch—thanks to the age limits imposed by the International Cricket Council (ICC), he won't be able to participate in the next Under-19 World Cup in 2026.
Laxman emphasizes on player growth over World Cup selection
VVS Laxman, the former India batter and head of the National Cricket Academy (NCA), has highlighted that they're more focused on giving players a chance to grow than merely handpicking a talent pool for the 2026 U-19 World Cup. He pointed out that many players who might not make it to the next World Cup squad are currently part of the squad facing Australia Under-19s.
Kanitkar looks forward to red-ball cricket exposure
India U-19's first four-day Test match in over five years is on the cards, as they gear up to face Australia Under-19s at Chepauk. Coach Kanitkar is looking forward to the red-ball cricket experience for his boys, especially since they'll be up against some Aussie talents eyeing a Sheffield Shield spot. He thinks this is a brilliant move as it genuinely puts the players' skills and strategies to the test.
