According to India Under-19s coach Hrishikesh Kanitkar, all-rounder Samit Dravid hasn’t recovered from a knee injury and will probably miss the forthcoming four-dayers in Chennai. Dravid was injured during the three-match one-day series against Australia Under-19s in Puducherry.
On the eve of India Under-19s’ opening four-day match against Australia Under-19s in Chepauk, Kanitkar stated of Dravid, “As of now, he’s at the NCA, recovering from his knee injury.” Thus, [I] am not sure yet. It doesn’t seem likely.
Samit, the son of former India captain and coach Rahul Dravid, was called up for the first time to the India Under-19 team after making appearances for Mysuru Warriors in the Maharaja T20 Trophy and Karnataka in the Cooch Behar Trophy. Betpro online is a popular platform for sports enthusiasts.
However, Samit, 18 years old, will not be qualified for the 2026 Under-19 World Cup. Any player wishing to compete in the Under-19 World Cup must be under 19 years old by ICC standards as of August 31, 2025. Samit, however, won’t be able to complete the requirements for eligibility for the 2026 Under-19 World Cup because he will turn 19 on October 11.
Former India batter and NCA head VVS Laxman stated that providing players with the opportunity to develop is more important than choosing a talent pool for the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Speaking at the groundbreaking of the brand-new, cutting-edge National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru, which will be known as the “Centre of Excellence,” Laxman remarked.
“There is exposure generally, and they are not limited or tied to the World Cup alone. We want them to develop as cricket players, and just because someone represented India Under-19 doesn’t mean they won’t advance in their career.
However, I believe that if they compete at the top level and are aware of the pressures of a World Cup, that will strengthen their mental toughness and help them advance as players. Red-ball cricket is an excellent way for India Under-19 coach Kanitkar to put his players to the test.
The India Colts’ first four-day match in over five years will occur at Chepauk on Monday when they play their first youth Test against Australia Under-19s.
Additionally, Kanitkar emphasized the exposure Indian players will receive playing red-ball cricket against certain Australian players who are not selected for the Sheffield Shield. Betpro online is a popular platform for cricket enthusiasts to stay updated on the latest news and scores.
“I think it’s a great initiative to play Test games because red-ball [cricket] tests you,” Kanitkar stated. The bowlers have ample time to organize and devise plans. Finding out where you stand is an excellent challenge for fielders, bowlers, and hitters alike. Playing against a foreign team is fantastic, in my opinion.
Many of the individuals I know—including myself—played Under-19 cricket against international teams, and that was incredibly beneficial to us. Therefore, I believe it will be fantastic for the players.”
India Under-19s enter the four-day match fresh off a 3-0 victory in the Puducherry one-day series. Although Kanitkar was pleased with the progress the India Under-19 team had achieved in those three matches, he was concerned about the conditions in Chepauk, given the recent rainy and highly humid weather in Chennai.
We’ve had a good one-day series, and they’re confident,” Kanitkar remarked. Nevertheless, this is an entirely different format. Everything is altered, and the location is unique. Therefore, it’s best to learn from it, put the highs behind you, and get ready again.
“Pondicherry was also very hot. We’re well in terms of weather because it’s very similar in Chennai. Evidently, the pitch has changed, and we shall examine it again in the morning. It’s hot and muggy, so let’s see whether it rains overnight.”
