U19 World Cup: Vihaan is here for the long haul

For over two decades now, the UI9 World Cup has functioned as a launchpad for India’s men’s cricket.

- Samreen Razzaqui

Virat Kohli lifted the trophy in 2008. Yuvraj Singh and Mohammed Kaif went on to serve the Indian team for years following their triumph in 2000 while more recently, Shubman Gill, Player of the Series at the 2018 edition, is now the captain of the Test and ODI teams.The tournament doesn't guarantee greatness, but it has a way of gently revealing who is equipped for the long road ahead.

As India prepare for another UI9 World Cup — they open against USA on Thursday in Bulawayo — Vihaan Malhotra arrives as a batter with a long-term, all-format potential.

The 19-year-old from Patiala has already lived a compressed version of cricket's tour grind — multi-format tours of England and Australia, 50-over Asia Cup in UAE and a 50-over triangular tournament at home. “There were so many matches... We got to understand what is happening, what level we are at, and what things we need to improve,” the allrounder told HT.

“Generally most players take this (UI9 World Cup) as their first step,” Malhotra said. “For me too, playing it is a big platform. You get exposure and understand what you need to do next.”