01 February,2018 11:53 AM IST | Tauranga (New Zealand) | Gaurav Joshi
India U-19 captain Prithvi Shaw warms up in Tauranga recently. Pic/Getty Images
How many fast bowlers field at backward point? It is not a tricky question, but when answered, correctly sums up the fielding standards of the current Indian under-19 team cricket team that is one step away from becoming world champions for fourth time. On Saturday, they take on Australia in the final at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui.
India's fast bowling sensation Kamlesh Nagarkoti spends majority of his time in the position which is often designated to the best fielder in the team. The only time Nagarkoti is not seen hovering around at point is when he is bowling. Nagarkoti is arguably the best fielder in the team. The way he moves, dives, slides and throws bears testimony to his athleticism and skills. His fast bowling partner, Shivam Mavi, is no slouch either, often finding himself at mid-wicket against spin bowlers, throwing himself to prevent that easy single down the ground.
It certainly helps when both of them are around 5 feet, 8 inches have a low centre of gravity. But for both to be standing inside the inner circle during crucial periods in the game is a credit to the players and support staff. After their loss to India in the quarter-finals, Bangladesh coach Damien Wright said that the current Indian unit was the best he has seen for an underage tournament. While Nagarkoti and Mavi might be setting the benchmark for fast bowlers, players such as Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma have showed they pose some of the best hands when it comes to slip catching. They have yet to drop a catch behind the wicket and have even managed to pouch catches that would make the senior team members proud.
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