‘India have potential to do well in U-19 World Cup’

India Under-19 cricket team coach Rahul Dravid believes his side has the potential and talent to do well in the U-19 World Cup, starting in Bangladesh on January 27.India will face rivals Australia in their opening match to be held at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur on January 28. The three-time winners (2000, 2008, 2012), India have been clubbed in Group D alongside another three-time champions Australia, New Zealand and Nepal.“They have potential and good young talent to perform well. Hopefully, they will grow as players and people and not just look at results. I hope they go on playing and represent the senior team and bring laurels for the country,” Dravid said here yesterday. Jharkhand wicketkeeper-batsman Ishan Kishan will lead India’s 15-man squad. Kishan had recently led India colts to a series win in a tri-nation tournament also involving Sri Lanka and England. Two weeks before that, India had won another tri-nation tournament involving Bangladesh and Afghanistan in Kolkata.“For me coaching and mentoring at the U-19 level is really helping young people on their journey which I had experienced myself when I was at that age. It gives me a platform to share my experiences, some of the learning I had over 20 years in sport,” the legendary batsman said.“To be able to help lot of young cricketers and fulfilling their dreams and making their journey possibly a little bit easier, it is sometimes a difficult, competitive, tough environment. It is really a fun part to coach a cricket team after I have retired.”