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India Under-19 will kick off their tour of Sri Lanka with the first unofficial ODI at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium in Hambantota on July 4. The three-match ODI series will allow several young talents to impress as the new Under-19 World Cup cycle gets underway.
The Indian squad features a healthy mix of exciting batters and promising all-rounders, with many players looking to make an early impact on the international stage. Here are the top three Indian players to watch out for in the opening ODI.
Lakshya Raichandani enters the tour as India’s vice-captain and is expected to play a key role in the middle order. The youngster has earned the trust of the selectors with his consistent performances in age-group cricket and will have the responsibility of stabilising the innings whenever required.
The 17-year-old has already made is first class cricket debut for Uttarakhand in 2026. In four FC matches, he has scored 223 with an average of 44.60. Apart from his batting, his leadership qualities will also be under the spotlight as he supports captain Yashbardhan Singh Chauhan.
A strong start in the first ODI could set the tone for a memorable tour for the talented batter.
There will be plenty of attention on Anvay Dravid, the son of legendary Indian captain and head coach Rahul Dravid. However, the wicketkeeper-batter has earned his place in the squad through his performances rather than his surname.
Anvay impressed in the Vinoo Mankad Trophy while captaining Karnataka Under-19. He scored 220 runs in six matches at an impressive average of 55.00, including an unbeaten 82 against Himachal Pradesh and a well-compiled 63 against Chandigarh.
Having already represented India Blue in a junior tri-series, the youngster now has the opportunity to make his mark in India’s Under-19 colours. His calm approach, sound technique, and ability to handle pressure make him one of the most exciting players to watch in the series opener. The expectations are already from him.
Leading the side in both the ODI and multi-day formats, Yashbardhan Singh Chauhan will undoubtedly be India’s player to watch in the first ODI.
Captaining an Indian Under-19 side comes with immense responsibility, and the tour will be an important test of both his leadership and batting ability. Chauhan is expected to anchor the innings while also making key tactical decisions on the field.
With India beginning a fresh Under-19 cycle, the captain will be eager to lead from the front and guide the team to a winning start. A solid performance in Hambantota would not only boost India’s chances in the series but also strengthen Chauhan’s credentials as one of the country’s brightest young prospects.
As India begin their campaign in Sri Lanka, these three youngsters will carry significant expectations. Whether it is Chauhan’s leadership, Dravid’s composed batting, or Raichandani’s ability to steady the innings, all eyes will be on them as the visitors look to start the three-match ODI series on a positive note.
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