Raichandani's India begin Under-19 Asia Cup against Nepal in Oman today

India begin their Men’s Under-19 Asia Cup campaign against Nepal at the Oman Cricket Academy in Al Amerat on Friday, with the 50-over match due to start at 10:30 am IST. The eight-team tournament opened on Thursday and runs until November 14.

India are the competition’s most successful side, with eight titles, but they arrive with a score to settle. Pakistan beat them by 191 runs in last year’s final, and the two meet again in Group A on Sunday, November 8. India close the group stage against the UAE on November 10. Pakistan open their own defence against the UAE on the next ground at the same hour on Friday.

The squad

Lakshya Raichandani captains the 15-member side named by the BCCI on October 30, with Yashbardhan Singh Chauhan as his deputy. Two names drew the most attention: Aaryavir Sehwag and Anvay Dravid, sons of Virender Sehwag and Rahul Dravid. Both come in on the back of big runs in the Vinoo Mankad Trophy. Sehwag made 173 off 143 balls for Delhi against Chandigarh, and Dravid, who also keeps wicket, scored 358 runs in five innings for Karnataka, including 151 off 100 balls in a chase of more than 300 against Gujarat. Among the bowlers, Ishan Sood took 13 wickets in eight games in the same competition.

Raichandani, who led India’s juniors against Australia in September, set out his approach when he was first given the job. “The team comes first. Everyone has to go along with the team, and the team will be ahead of the individual,” he said on September 7.

The opponents and the format

Nepal, led by Bipin Prasad Sharma, also face the UAE and Pakistan in the group. Group B has Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Malaysia. The top two from each group reach the semi-finals on November 12.

“We are delighted to welcome the Men’s U19 Asia Cup to Oman,” said Pankaj Khimji, chairman of Oman Cricket, which is staging the event for the Asian Cricket Council with free entry to all matches.