The 2024 U19 World Cup kicks off on Friday with India’s campaign starting on Saturday against Bangladesh. The tournament will feature the likes of South Africa against the West Indies and Ireland against the USA in the opening matches.

The games will be held concurrently in Bloemfontein and Potchefstroom. India aims to secure their title defense and achieve a sixth victory. India holds the record for the most U19 World Cup wins, with Australia ranking second with three titles.

With India’s journey beginning on January 20, the country will be watching on to see their next upcoming stars of the game. Over the years, this tournament has served as a platform for some of India’s prominent players to make their mark. Notable instances include Yuvraj Singh in 2000, Rohit Sharma in 2006, Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja in 2008, Rishabh Pant and Ishan Kishan in 2016, and more recently, emerging talents like Shubman Gill (2018) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (2020).

Meet The U-19 Indian squad

This year, India is under the leadership of Uday Saharan, a right-handed top-order batsman from Punjab. Saharan recently captained India in the U19 Asia Cup, where they faced a loss to eventual champions Bangladesh in the semi-final. Originally hailing from Rajasthan, Saharan relocated to Bhatinda, Punjab, to pursue his cricket career. He has previously captained Punjab’s U-14s and U-16s, establishing himself as a prolific run-scorer at the U-19 level.

India’s Group And Fixtures

India is positioned in Group A, alongside Bangladesh, Ireland, and the United States. The tournament features three additional groups, followed by a Super Six stage where teams will be divided into two groups. Subsequently, the semi-finals are scheduled for February 6 and 8, with the final set to take place on February 11.

India’s group stage fixtures will take place in Bloemfontein. Their initial match against Bangladesh is scheduled for Saturday, followed by a match against Ireland on January 25. The concluding group-stage encounter against the United States is set for January 28.

Also Read: WTC Points Table: Australia Gain Significant Lead Over India After Thumping Win Vs West Indies