India, the defending champions, are slated to play warm-up games against Australia and Sri Lanka before the 15th edition of the Men\u2019s U19 World Cup begins. They are currently in South Africa for an U19 tri-series, where they are slated to play the final on January 10.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cOur preparation has been intense, and the team has been working tirelessly to fine-tune every aspect of our game. We understand the challenges that come with representing our country at this level, but the excitement within the squad is palpable.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThe prospect of competing against the best U19 teams from around the world is both thrilling and motivating. We have a great blend of talent, determination, and team spirit, and we are looking forward to embracing the competition and giving our best on the field,\u201d said Saharan in an ICC release.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
India will open its World Cup campaign against Bangladesh on January 20 in a repeat of the 2020 final, which the latter won. More recently, Bangladesh had defeated India in the U19 Men\u2019s Asia Cup semi-finals in the UAE and went on to win the trophy.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cWe are very excited. Most players at this age level get one opportunity to participate in a U19 World Cup and we want to make this event a memorable one. We don't have to look far for inspiration.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cWe became Asian champions only last month and four years ago our predecessors won the World Cup. We will go there to win the World Cup. Bangladesh has done that before and there is no reason why we can't carry the momentum from the Asia Cup to South Africa,\u201d said Bangladesh captain Mahfuzur Rahman Rabby.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Each team will play two warm-up fixtures before the main event commences on January 19, where hosts\u2019 South Africa, the 2014 U19 World Cup winners, take on 2016 edition champions West Indies at Potchefstroom.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThe team and I cannot wait for the World Cup to start. The opportunity to play in such an esteemed tournament is a real honour and we are really excited to represent our country. With it being a home World Cup, it really is a once in a lifetime experience and we cannot wait to do the Mzansi nation proud,\u201d said South Africa captain David Teeger.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Two further rivals lock horns on January 20, as England, who came runners-up to India in 2022 Men\u2019s U19 World Cup, take on Scotland in Potchefstroom while Pakistan and Afghanistan meet in East London.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThis is the first U19 World Cup for all the players, and we want to show how exciting we are as a team. We want to showcase our skills and impose ourselves on each and every game, with an overall aim to go on and to win the tournament,\u201d said England captain Ben McKinney.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"We are absolutely buzzing\u2026It\u2019s a huge honour to be representing Scotland. It\u2019ll really sink in when we take to the pitch in the first game. Even to be playing in the qualifiers last summer was special, but this is just the next level up. That first England game is the big one. The rivalry, and it being the first game of the tournament. I think we\u2019ll all be buzzing for it,\u201d added Scotland captain Owen Gould.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Afghanistan captain Naseer Khan Maroof Khil, said, \u201cIncluding me, all the boys are very enthusiastic and committed. No doubt, it is an outstanding learning platform to show our talent and skills to the world. As we got to the semi-finals last time, the boys are eager to get to the final this time and win the trophy for the country.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Warm-up fixtures<\/p>\r\n\r\n
January 13, Saturday<\/p>\r\n\r\n
USA v Namibia, Tuks Oval, Pretoria<\/p>\r\n\r\n
India v Australia, TUT Oval, Pretoria<\/p>\r\n\r\n
South Africa v Pakistan, St Stithians, Johannesburg<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Nepal v Scotland, Braamfischer Oval, Johannesburg<\/p>\r\n\r\n
January 14, Sunday<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Ireland v Zimbabwe, Tuks Oval, Pretoria<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Bangladesh v Sri Lanka, TUT Oval, Pretoria<\/p>\r\n\r\n
England v Afghanistan, St Stithians, Johannesburg<\/p>\r\n\r\n
New Zealand v West Indies, Braamfischer Oval, Johannesburg<\/p>\r\n\r\n
January 16, Tuesday<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Namibia v Ireland, Tuks Oval, Pretoria<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Zimbabwe v USA, TUT Oval, Pretoria<\/p>\r\n\r\n
West Indies v Nepal, St Stithians, Johannesburg<\/p>\r\n\r\n
South Africa v Afghanistan, Braamfischer Oval, Johannesburg<\/p>\r\n\r\n
January 17, Wednesday<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Sri Lanka v India, Tuks Oval, Pretoria<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Australia v Bangladesh, TUT Oval, Pretoria<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Scotland v New Zealand, St Stithians, Johannesburg<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Pakistan v England, Braamfischer Oval, Johannesburg<\/p>\r\n\r\n", "image": "https:\/\/img.cricketnmore.com\/uploads\/2024\/01\/indian-team-has-been-working-tirelessly-to-fine-tune-every-aspect-of-our-game-says-uday-saharan-ahead-of-u19-wc.JPG", "alt_img": "Indian team has been working tirelessly to fine-tune every aspect of our game, says Uday Saharan ahe", "alt_title": "South Africa to host India and Afghanistan in Men\u2019s U19 Tri-Series ahead of World Cup", "image1": null, "video": null, "seo_title": "Indian Team Has Been Working Tirelessly To Fine-tune Every Aspect Of Our Game, Says Uday Saharan Ahead Of U19 WC On Cricketnmore", "seo_desc": "Indian Team Has Been Working Tirelessly To Fine-tune Every Aspect Of Our Game, Says Uday Saharan Ahead Of U19 WC, Naseer Khan Maroof Khil: With the ICC U19 Men\u2019s Cricket World Cup 2024 just ten days away from starting, India.", "seo_keywords": "Uday Saharan, U19 WC, ICC U19 Men, Cricket World Cup, Sri Lanka, U19 World Cup, South Africa, World Cup, U19 Men, Asia Cup, Mahfuzur Rahman Rabby, West Indies, David Teeger, East London, Ben McKinney, Owen Gould, Naseer Khan Maroof Khil, Tuks Oval, TUT", "tag": "", "tagging": "Uday Saharan, U19 WC, ICC U19 Men, Cricket World Cup, Sri Lanka, U19 World Cup, South Africa, World Cup, U19 Men, Asia Cup, Mahfuzur Rahman Rabby, West Indies, David Teeger, East London, Ben McKinney, Owen Gould, Naseer Khan Maroof Khil, Tuks Oval", "status": "1", "img_rpt": "0", "google": "1", "standout": "0", "edapps": "0", "pulse": "0", "no_index": "0", "feed": "0", "fixture": null, "slug": "indian-team-has-been-working-tirelessly-to-fine-tune-every-aspect-of-our-game-says-uday-saharan-ahead-of-u19-wc", "user_id": "0", "read_count": "0", "ians_date": null, "ians_time": null, "server_time": null, "trash": "0", "view_count": "828", "page_break": "0", "instant_articles": "1", "auto_link": "1", "created": "2024-01-09 18:46:03", "updated": "2024-01-09 18:46:03", "img_from": "Image Source: IANS", "img_source": null, "schedule_publish": null, "news_keywords": "Uday Saharan, U19 WC, ICC U19 Men, Cricket World Cup, Sri Lanka, U19 World Cup, South Africa, World Cup, U19 Men, Asia Cup, Mahfuzur Rahman Rabby, West Indies, David Teeger, East London, Ben McKinney, Owen Gould, Naseer Khan Maroof Khil, Tuks Oval, TUT", "livescore_text": null, "livescore_link": null, "btn_text": null, "resend_feed": "1", "google_feed": "1", "read_more": "0", "posted_by": "23", "jio_date": "2024-01-09 18:46:03", "scheduled": "0", "news_now": "1", "breaking_news": "1", "google_date": null, "featured": "0", "pred_match_id": null, "article_content_type": null, "england_cricket": "0", "link": "https:\/\/www.cricketnmore.com\/cricket-news\/indian-team-has-been-working-tirelessly-to-fine-tune-every-aspect-of-our-game-says-uday-saharan-ahead-of-u19-wc-135711" }