xtratime Logo

Xtra Time Web Desk : India U19 team has been blowing heads all around after their perfect performances throughout the ongoing ICC U19 World Cup which made them reach the final of the tournament. And one of the mainstays for the Indian Colts has been their vice captain Shaik Rasheed.

The boy from Andhra Pradesh has impressed everyone around the Indian cricket circuit and has received praises from all over the Indian cricket fraternity especially after his 94 alongside captain Dhull's 110 against Australia in the semis which helped India clinch a 96 run victory.

But Rasheed had his share of struggles as he had to fight financial issues, change of city etc all through his small career. And now former BCCI chief selector, MSK Prasad, who is also a resident of Andhra Pradesh has opened up on the struggles of Rasheed.

In a recent interview with the Times of India, Prasad said, "A lot of credit should go to his father Balisha. Rasheed came from a very humble background. I was told his father worked in a small pesticide shop. But he never stopped his son from dreaming big. Best part about people like Balisha is that they have a ‘nothing-to-lose’ attitude towards life,"

Giving credit to the Andhra cricket academy, which has been the reason for Rasheed's rise, Prasad added, "The association adopted him. The academies adopted 30-35 cricketers like Rasheed. The academy spent Rs 15000 per student every month. His hunger for runs and his commitment towards the game stood out. He would blindly follow what he was told."

Also speaking about his son, Shaik Rasheed's father Balisha said, "My son was good at cricket from a very young age. He played in Hyderabad. We barely man-aged to make ends meet. Now I work for SBI loans department. Andhra academy in Mangalgiri was a huge help and relief for us. Coach Krishna Rao sir was very helpful."

Now, with the final against England round the corner, the country will surely depend upon the bat of Rasheed to take the team all the way through to India's 5 U19 World Cup title.