With Under 19 World Cup around the corner, it’s time for next generation cricketers to showcase their talent. Under-19 World Cup has been the successful tournament as it has produced many international stars. Let’s take a look a current Best XI who played Under-19 World Cup and are now dominating World Cricket.

#1 – Quinton de Kock (2012, South Africa)

He represented South Africa in 2012 Under-19 World Cup where he scored total of 284 runs and recorded 5 dismissals in a single match. Since then he has been looked as the replacement of Mark Boucher in the senior team. He made a record by scoring three centuries back to back in three match ODI Series against India in the senior level. With an ODI average of 39.86 with 8 centuries he is certainly the future of South Africa Cricket.

#2 – Ahmed Shehzad (2010, Pakistan)

He started playing for Pakistan Under-19 team at an age of 15. He is one of the players who represented senior team before playing the Under 19 World Cup. He made his T20 debut in the year 2009 and later played for Pakistan Under-19 in New Zealand in the year 2010.

#3 – Kane Williamson (2008, New Zealand)

He captained the New Zealand to Semi Finals before they lost to India in 2010 Under 19 World Cup. He has established himself as a backbone of New Zealand batting averaging just less than 50 in both Test and ODI format. He is currently New Zealand ODI and T20 captain. He is set to break many records in New Zealand cricket if he continues playing the way he is currently playing. Currently he is ranked 2nd in ICC Test Rankings and 3rd in ICC ODI Rankings.

#4 – Virat Kohli (2008, India)

The highest paid IPL Star has done nothing wrong to become a world class player. After winning the Under 19 World Cup in 2008 Virat never looked back. His aggressive nature along with the talent he possesses makes him one of the modern greats of the game. He is currently the Test captain of Indian Cricket Team and certainly the best batsman in the current Indian line up.

Virat Kohli

#5 – Steve Smith (2008, Australia)

He is one of the most unorthodox batsman of modern Cricket. He started his international career as leg spin bowler. He currently won ICC Player and Test Player of the Year 2015 award. After the retirement of Clarke he has been given the responsibility of captaining the Australian side. He is in the form of his life scoring 1474 runs in Test cricket at an average of 73.30.

#6 – Joe Root (2010, England)

Root was selected for the Under 19 Cricket World Cup in New Zealand, making an unbeaten 70 in a victory against Hong Kong as England progressed to the quarter finals before being eliminated by the West Indies. He is one of the most dynamic batsman in modern cricket. His ability to play all the three formats of the game makes his one of the force to reckon with. He enjoyed the year 2015 with scoring 1385 Runs in test cricket and 723 in ODI cricket. He looked as a future Test captain of England Cricket Team.

#7 – Ben Stokes (2010, England)

He is currently the best all-rounder in Test arena. His ability to both bat and bowl makes occupy the all-rounder spot. He is often compared to Sir Ian Botham for his ability to play counter attacking cricket. He has tackled all the injury problems and in now one of the most important player in the English line up. He represented England Under-19 along with Joe Root and Jos Buttler.

#8 – Ravindra Jadeja (2008, India)

He was axed from the Indian team after poor run of form, but he went back to domestic cricket picked up lots of wickets returned to Indian test team and he along with Ashwin helped India win the series against South Africa. He played 2008 Under-19 World Cup under the leadership of Virat Kohli. His ability to ball same line and length make him a threat on spinning conditions. He helped India wining two major trophies i.e Under 19 World Cup and ICC Champions Trophy in England.

#9 – Tim Southee (2008, New Zealand)

He is currently the best fast bowler in International arena. He was also Player of the Series in 2008 Under-19 World Cup. He along with Trent Boult was helped New Zealand reach Finals of the 2015 World Cup.

#10 – Josh Hazlewood (2008, Australia)

After the retirement of Johnson, there has been lot of talk about the tall Australian fast bowler. He is often compared to the great Glen McGrath for his ability to disturb batsman from with his line and length bowling. He played Under-19 World Cup with his current captain Steve Smith.

#11 – Trent Boult (2008, New Zealand)

His ability to swing the ball and pick early wickets makes him one of best Swing bowler New Zealand has seen. His bowling partnership with Tim Southee helped New Zealand reach the 2015 World Cup finals. He and Southee make the best bowling partnership in modern day cricket. There is lot of hope from this youngster.

Tags: Ahmed Shehzad, Australia, England, ICC Under-19 Cricket World, India, Kane Williamson, New Zealand, Pakistan, Quinton de Kock, Ravindra Jadeja, South Africa, Virat Kohli, World Cricket, World Cup