WATCH: Akash Chopra Selects His All-Time 'Best XI' From U19 World Cup
U19 World Cup always displays and provides exposure to the amount of talent and skills young guns possess. Many players received the spotlight on them through the U19 World Cup and went on to become a big name in international cricket. Former cricketer and active broadcaster/commentator Akash Chopra has selected his best all-time XI from the U19 World Cup.
However, there's only Indian player on this list by Akash Chopra, and obviously, it's former Indian captain Virat Kohli. Akash has named Pakistan's Babar Azam and Virat Kohli as the openers in this team, followed by Australia's Steve Smith at #3. While New Zealand's captain Kane Williamson is placed at the #4 spot.
While unveiling the list, Akash Chopra emphasized Babar's Azam beautiful cover drives in the U19 World Cup and how they implied that Babar will become a big player. While talking about Virat Kohli, Chopra said Kohli's quality was visible, but he never expected the Delhi boy to become this big in cricket.
While talking about Steve Smith, Akash Chopra said that Smith may have looked like a leg-spinner who can bat a bit, and has now become Steve 'Unstoppable' Smith with the bat. While talking about Kane Williamson, who defeated Virat Kohli's India in the 2019 World Cup, has established himself as Kane 'Consistent' Williamson.
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Talking further about the list, Akash has given the wicketkeeper spot to Sri Lanka's Dinesh Chandimal, while England's only World Cup-winning skipper Eoin Morgan is placed at the #6 spot. Explosive Windies' batter Shimron Hetmeyer is the finisher in this lineup and bats at #7, while Pakistan's Mehendi Hasan is selected as the spinner at #8. The pace department comprises England's Chris Woakes, South Africa's Kagiso Rabada and Pakistan's Shaheen Afridi.