Neha Yadav
The Indian U-19 cricket team has fought tooth and nail to buck up in the ongoing World Cup in the Caribbean belt during the times of Covid19. Although the recurring figures of positivity rate enlisted many players early in the tournament, the U-19 captain Yash Dhull, coached by VVS Laxman left no stones unturned to let the Covid quagmire affect them. The 19-year-old captain with his nerves of steel and unmatched agility has notched up the batting sphere for most players.
On the eve of the semi-finals with Australia, Yash Dhull’s performance was reminiscent of the two most resonating career margins of - Delhi’s Virat Kohli and Unmukt Chand. At the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium, the 15-year old Dhull batted continuously for his unbeaten 183 to finish the game in a draw against Punjab. Even though Delhi was about down to its last remaining couple of wickets at stumps, Dhull managed to scoop away the innings helping Delhi to qualify for the knock-outs.
Pradeep Kochar, a former first-class cricketer who is now the coach of the Airliner Cricket Academy is reminded of yet another innings while speaking about Dhull. Defining Dhull, he says, “He was 14. He batted for 90 overs and made 78. This was an Under-19 tournament in Amritsar. He wasn’t intimidated facing bowlers much older than him. The calmness and maturity he showed when scoring a century against Australia after India lost two early wickets is what I have expected from him. Not from today but right from the beginning.”
Dhull set an example of strategizing the match with all his mental strength to avert the prevailing crisis keeping his head down during the World Cup semi-finals. Kochar said, “Yash doesn’t let pressure affect him. He was sensible, calm, and controlled his emotions well. Youngsters find it hard to handle the pressure of expectations these days. Yash is an exception.” And he is also ready to work “doubly hard.”
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