Xtra Time Web Desk : Team India U-19 cricket team on Friday defeated Sri Lanka by 9 wickets in the final of the U-19 Asia Cup to claim their 8th title. The whole of Indian cricket fraternity after the triumph congratulated the team. And now, the head coach Hrishikesh Kanitkar himself has heaped praise upon his team.
In a recent interview with PTI, Kanitkar said, “I think it’s a step in the right direction. What I felt is, like you said, quite a number of people performed and we won games. We didn’t have to depend on certain players only and from the coaching point of view, that’s always a good sign, when more people contribute to a win and we don’t depend on just a few players. So, from that point I’m satisfied (and) it’s been very good high-level matches also, and we have been challenged in three out of four games or five games. It’s been so far great preparation in terms of match practise, now the big goal is the World Cup. We are planning to take one step at a time, not (think) too far ahead into the future, so once the quarantine is over in the West Indies, we will start practicing and focus on the practise games first and take it forward like that.”
There are three Maharashtra players — Kaushal Tambe, Rajvardhan Hangargekar and Vicky Ostwal — who were part of the Asia Cup-winning team and also feature in a 17-member squad announced for the World Cup.
Asked whether the trio can carry forward the legacy of Maharashtra players like Chandu Borde, the 47-year-old said, “Yes they have what it takes for sure. All three of them have performed in various matches over here. I think they have a good future, they need to just keep working hard and be focussed, that’s all. They will do well.”