2018 Under-19 World Cup: India's predicted XI against Australia
The twelfth edition of the Under-19 World Cup has begun in New Zealand, who are hosting for a record third time. The opening day featured four matches, with the most notable result being Afghanistan's excellent victory over Pakistan.
India, who have won the tournament thrice, will be opening their campaign against Australia tomorrow at Mount Maunganui. Sportskeeda looks at the probable playing eleven which India might start their tournament with.
Openers
Prithvi Shaw (c)
The captain and an opening batsman, Prithvi Shaw will be leading from the front with the bat as well as on the field. Shaw is coming off an excellent Ranji season for Mumbai where he slammed three centuries in six matches.
Though Shaw, 18, got only 16 in India's warm-up match against South Africa, he put up a stable opening stand of 54 with Manjot Kalra as India thrashed their opponents by 189 runs.
Manjot Kalra
Providing India with a left-right combination at the top, left-handed Manjot Kalra is a confirmed starter despite throwing away a fluent start of 31 against South Africa in the practice game. Kalra showed his potential with a match-winning 122 against England Under-19 at Chesterfield in July last year and is extremely reliable at the top against the new, swinging ball.