Under-19s told to stay away from IPL trials
‘Don’t go to IPL trials’ is the message sent to the India Under-19 players by the Indian cricket board as they don’t want the colts to get injured ahead of under-19 world cup in January. The directive came from India under-19 team manager Manuj Sharma few days ago and the message reads, “No player will attend any tournament, practice match, or Any Trials except Vijay Hajare (Hazare) tournament (tournament).”
The young players have been told to stay away from IPL trials, practice games or any other tournament except Vijay Hazare Trophy tournament which concluded on Monday. However, the players won’t miss out on any potential IPL offers as the main player auction will be held in February, after the World Cup.
Many IPL franchise have already begun their trials for next season. Mumbai Indians, for example, had called for a trial in Baroda just a few days ago. It’s learnt that the directive was sent because BCCI didn’t want the players to get injured in any of these games especially just one month before the under-19 World Cup to be held in Bangladesh.
A top BCCI official said that the board didn’t want their under-19 players to get distracted by any other matches as a big tournament will take place next month. “Players are just advised to have a light session at the nets and try to avoid any competitive game. We don’t want any of these selected players to get injured while playing a league cricket. We have even advised them not to go for any IPL trials as it can be a distraction. At the same time, there can be risk of getting injured,” a BCCI official told The Indian Express.
The under-19 camp will take place in Bengaluru from January 3 under coach Rahul Dravid. Two young Mumbai batsman Sarfaraz Khan and Armaan Jaffer are looking forward for under-19 World Cup next month. Sarfaraz says that he learned a lot from Dravid. “There were plenty of things that I have learned from Rahul Sir, including on how he remains calm at all times.” said Sarfaraz.
Whereas Jaffer has a list of questions ready to ask Dravid. “I have been newly inducted into the team,” Jaffer said. “He (Rahul) has been a legend, I will ask him how he handled pressure in tough situations.”
