The U19 World Cup in 2008 was a tournament that saw the participation of some of the legends of the game today. And, a testament to the fact is that a handful of players from that tournament are all set to play in the WTC Finals, all set to be played in England. So, here are the 5 players who have played in the 2008 U19 World cup will now play in the WTC finals.
1. Virat Kohli (India)
The Captain of the Indian cricket team, Virat Kohli, was also in the leadership role when the India U19 team, playing in the 2008 U19 World Cup, emerged as the victors of the tournament. Virat in that tournament had performed well and had finished third in the run getters’ leaderboard.
He had scored 235 in 6 games, where he had managed to maintain an average of 47.00. Virat over the years, in his move from the lower bracket into the higher one has made sure that he improved after every game and takes his team and his personal game to new personal heights. In the WTC Finals, he would want to replicate the success that he had in the 2008 U19 World Cup.
2. Ravindra Jadeja (India)
One of the most reliable and consistent all-rounders in the Indian cricket team at the moment, the one who can work his magic, both with the bat and the ball in hand, Ravindra Jadeja, is all set to play in the WTC Finals, becoming one of the players to have played in both the 2008 U19 World Cup and this match.
Jadeja in the 2008 U19 World Cup had shined with the ball in hand, taking as many as 10 wickets in the 6 games he had played in. But this time around in the WTC finals, he would have the responsibility to perform well with both the bat and the ball in hand. And, given that his record in England has been phenomenal in the past, he would in all probabilities even do so.
3. Kane Williamson (New Zealand)
Kane Williamson has been the man with the Midas touch for the New Zealand cricket team in recent years, leading them to glory everywhere they have gone to play. And, especially in the ICC tournaments off late, his record has been phenomenal. Be it the 2019 World Cup or the one before it, or the WTC, he has led the New Zealand Cricket Team to the finals of each of three tournaments.
When playing in 2008 U19 World Cup, Williamson was far from being the batsman that he is now. His record did not have much for him to be happy about and his team had also not done that well. But, Williamson has aged like fine wine and with each passing day, his game is getting better and it would be a task for the Indian bowlers to bowl to him in England.
4. Tim Southee (New Zealand)
The main constituent of the New Zealand bowling attack, completing it alongside Trent Boult, who was also his bowling partner in the 2008 U19 World Cup, Tim Southee is all set to play in the WTC Finals in England this year, becoming the second player from New Zealand to do so.
The second-highest wicket-taker of the U19 World Cup in 2008, Southee in that tournament had played in 5 matches in that tournament where he had taken 17 wickets in total, maintaining an exceptional economy rate of 2.52 runs per over. Coming into the WTC finals, he would be looking to give his best and lead his team home with the cup.
5. Trent Boult (New Zealand)
Tim Southee’s bowling partner and undoubtedly one of the best pacers playing in the international circuit at the moment, Trent Boult completes this list of players who had played in the 2008 U19 World Cup and would also be playing in one of the most important Test matches of the year, the WTC Final in England.
The spearhead of the bowling attack of one of the best teams in the world, Boult had shown his colors early, as he had taken 11 wickets in 5 matches in the U19 WC. And, now years later he has evolved into being someone without whom the New Zealand bowling attack would be rendered a lot weaker.
