Colts keen on repeating feat

NEW DELHI, July 19: While Team India is slugging it out in England to make its reputation as ‘smart travellers’, the Indian colts are looking to build upon it. It has been a year of consistency for the u-19 boys, who have not lost a series (all away tours) in the past one year.
The colts, currently on a tour of Sri Lanka for a triangular series, play their first match against Sri Lanka on Friday.After the conclusion of the team meeting, the u-19 coach Lalchand Rajput spoke to ToI from Colombo. "Harshad Khadiwale (Maharashtra), Shrikant Munde (Maharashtra) and KP Appanna (Karnataka) have been dropped for the first match," said the former Mumbai opener.
"It’s raining here, so after having a look at the pitch I shall decide on whether to play three pacemen and two spinners or vice-verca from the 12 we have picked. But, for sure, I’m going in with five bowlers. "It’s true that we have not lost over the last one year but we have close to nine new players in the team. So the work will start from scratch. They have to carry on the good work. Apart from Tanmay Srivastava (skipper), Virat Kohli and Saurabh Tiwari, I’m banking on Amanpreet Singh (right-hand pacer) and Delhi’s Pradeep Sangwan (left-arm pacer) to display their immense talent," said Rajput.
The colts have been preparing for this tour for the last two-and half-months. They first attended zonal camps conducted by the NCA. Then they played the zonal Con. Adhikari tournament from which the selectors picked 15 players. After a break, they had a seven-day preparatory camp before leaving for Lanka. "Last year we went through the same process before starting our new season. Hopefully we will repeat the success of last year." Rajput concluded.