India U19 skipper Yash Dhull said that the team will focus on building partnerships and insisted that they aren’t intimidated by the Australian bowling attack ahead of the crucial ICC U-19 World Cup 2022 semi-final on Wednesday, February 2.
India's U19 team is unbeaten in the ongoing ICC U-19 World Cup 2022 so far, but a tough challenge lies ahead of them against Australia. However, Dhull sounded confident ahead of the semi-final clash.
Dhull said ahead of the semi-final: “It's a normal attack. We have played for so many years and prepared for this level. We will focus on partnerships and will try to capitalize at end overs.”
On being asked what will be the strategy considering that the pitch at the Coolidge ground hasn't exactly been a batter's paradise, the skipper said: “We will assess the match situation and decide on what will be our approach. Unless we play on the track, it's difficult to say.”
Meanwhile, the National Cricket Academy head VVS Laxman is in the West Indies and guiding the young boys at the ongoing ICC U19 World Cup 2022.
Speaking on Laxman, Dhull said: “Laxman sir, he shares his experiences, which will help us in coming games, mindset, preparation. When I was in isolation, he called up regularly and had video calls where he motivated me and told me to remain positive and in good frame for coming games.”
Well, Dhull admitted that the U19 players’ actual fight will start after the ICC U19 World Cup 2022.
He said, “We will need to work doubly harder after this level and need to improve even more. We need to be consistent and perform regularly so that the transition from U-19 to first-class level is quick enough and in turn, we get picked quickly. So we need to concentrate on our game and work hard.”
Dhull and some of his U-19 colleagues are part of the upcoming IPL 2022 auction and it will certainly be at the back of their minds but the skipper insisted that they are focusing on the present challenges.
He concluded, “IPL auction is there and I am trying to focus on the present, whatever has to happen will happen and if I keep my focus on the game and do well, it will only be beneficial for me going forward.”
(With PTI Inputs)
