India U19 players watched Shubman Gill slamming a double hundred at Edgbaston.
India U19 men’s team witnessed the second day’s play between India and England at Edgbaston in Birmingham.
India U19 coach Hrishikesh Kanitkar credited VVS Laxman, head of BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (CoE), for arranging the team's visit to Edgbaston, where they watched Shubman Gill's epic double hundred (269).
In a video shared by BCCI on Instagram, Kanitkar said that watching a day’s play live has been invaluable exposure for the young batters in learning how to build an innings in a red-ball game.
“VVS Laxman was instrumental in arranging this. He was the one who actually said that it would be a good thing to go and watch this game. It’s definitely a special occasion for any upcoming cricketer to be at a Test venue," Kanitkar was quoted as saying in the video.
“The main thing I want them to take back from what we have watched so far, as a batter, is that not every ball has to be whacked for a four and six. You can still be extremely effective, score runs at a good rate, and still score a lot of runs, like what Shubman has done. When we go back, there will be a session on what they learnt from it."
“He has batted like a classical Test innings, but he has not just ground it. He has played his shots. He has chosen the right ball, getting into good positions. They can relate to it for sure that if this person succeeds at this level by doing the basic stuff very well, we can as well, and I think that will be the biggest learning," he added.
Teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who has scores of 48, 45, and 86 in the ongoing youth series in England, acknowledged that there was much to learn from Gill’s impressive knock. “I am feeling very good. This is my first Test match of watching in England, and I am seeing how the game is going."
“I am feeling very good. We all came to watch the match. We got a lot of inspiration because Shubman Gill is a role model for us, and everyone’s dream is to play red-ball cricket for their country," the southpaw added.
Young spinner Anmoljeet Singh stated that watching the second day’s play motivated him further to play for the country. “Yesterday evening, sir told us that everyone has to go and watch the match. We were ready to go and watch the match from morning itself."
“Gill was batting at 114 at that time, and it felt good that he was playing, and we went and watched his batting. Representing India is a big achievement. When I see them, I get motivated to play for India like them and become like them," Anmoljeet said.
India U19 currently leads the five-match Youth ODI series 2-1 against England and is set to play the fourth match at New Road, Worcester on July 5, with the fifth and final game scheduled at the same venue on July 7.