Triple delight for MP as 3 teens picked for India U-19 cricket series against Lanka

Indore: A fast bowler from Indore, an award-winning all-rounder from Gwalior and the captain of Madhya Pradesh’s historic Cooch Behar Trophy-winning side from Morena.Three promising youngsters from the state on Thursday found themselves on the pathway to international cricket, as Anaadi Tagde, Yashbardhan Singh Chouhan and Manal Chauhan earned maiden call-ups to the India U-19 squad for the upcoming Sri Lanka assignments.Yashbardhan, 17, was handed the biggest responsibility of the lot, after being named captain of the Indian colts for both the three-match one-day series beginning July 4 and the two-match four-day series from July 13.The all-rounder has seen a remarkable rise in his young cricketing life, recently receiving the prestigious Jagmohan Dalmiya Trophy at the BCCI Naman Awards after emerging as the leading wicket-taker in the Vijay Merchant Trophy. He finished the 2024-25 season with 37 wickets and 853 runs, underlining his credentials as one of the country’s most exciting junior prospects.“It is a huge honour to lead India. I have always focused on contributing to the team in whatever role I am entrusted with. Captaining the side is a responsibility that I am looking forward to keenly. I hope to make the most of this opportunity,” Yashbardhan told TOI.Joining him in the four-day squad is 18-year-old all-rounder Manal Chauhan of Morena. Manal and Yashbardhan both represent the Chambal division in state cricket. Manal had captained Madhya Pradesh to its maiden Cooch Behar Trophy title, ending a wait stretching back to the tournament’s inception in 1945-46.Manal, who took up professional cricket in 2021 on the advice of coach Rajesh Tomar, told TOI, “I am still trying to process the news. It came as a pleasant surprise for me. I just returned from the NCA camp to receive this news.”For Indore’s Anaadi Tagde, selection came in both the India women’s U-19 one-day and T20 squads for the Lanka series. The 16-year-old pacer will feature in the home series comprising three one-dayers and an identical numbers T20s, beginning June 22 across Chennai and Puducherry.The pacer first caught attention as a nine-year-old with her natural bowling ability. Introduced to the game by her mother, former cricketer Deepti Tagde, Anaadi later honed her skills through structured coaching, while her father Anurag completed the ICC Basic Course in cricket to better understand the sport and support her development.“I am very excited and happy to be selected in both the one-day and T20 squads. Wearing the India jersey has always been my dream. I want to give my best, enjoy the experience and contribute to the team’s success,” Anaadi told TOI.