India Under-19 team is the best in business: Former batsman WV Raman

With less than six months to go for the Under-19 World Cup in New Zealand, the Indian contingent seems to be heading in the right direction.

It was evident from the manner in which the Indian colts blanked hosts England Under-19 7-0 (two Tests and five Youth ODIs) under tough conditions. Former India batsman WV Raman, who was the India coach in the youth series, believes the team is definitely "far superior" when compared with the cricketers of their age category from other countries.

Raman, who is also the batting coach at the National Cricket Academy, attributed the dominating show to the excellent junior cricket system in the country.

"The junior cricketing structure in India is probably the best in the world. It also includes the Under-16 category.

"These boys get to play numerous matches and that too at very good venues. They are well supported by the system.Thus, these players are definitely at an advantage as compared to the boys in the same age group from other countries," Raman told TOI on Sunday.

Raman added the off-season camps at the junior level play a key role in nurturing talents. "Most of them start playing for the state Under-16 or zonal sides. Their skills are developed in the off-season camps.They not only gain experience playing a lot of matches but these camps help them repeat their skills more often and gain proficiency. That's why these boys are far superior to those from the other countries," added the 52-year-old.

Raman noted the win in England highlighted the adaptability levels of the boys and their ability to raise their standards in crunch moments. Skipper Prithvi Shaw, allrounder Abhishek Sharma, pacers Kamlesh Nagarkoti and Shivam Mavi, 'keeper Harvik Desai and quite a few others stood up when it mattered.

The coach was particularly impressed by the fearlessness of young Mumbai batsman Shaw. "Prithvi is fearless, dominating and confident. He has a special ability to get runs quickly. In another two years, he will find out a way on how to be aggressive consistently for longer periods," Raman added.

The fact that the team won all the games showed the depth of the side. "If you go abroad, play under different conditions and end up winning all the games in all formats, it's an indication that the current crop of boys are good at adapting to different conditions and formats.

"The heartening thing is it wasn't just about a couple of individual performances. Our bowlers chipped in with the bat under pressure, guys who flew in for the ODIs hit the mark straight away under pressure moments. That was the highlight of the tour for me," he added.

(TNN)