‘First-class cricket essential for U-19s’

Promising under-19 cricketers should be tested in first-class cricket before elevation to the senior team, India ‘A’ coach Lalchand Rajput said here on Monday.

“You can’t directly jump from under-19 to senior team.”

He stated that first-class cricket, like ‘A’ tours, are of a higher standard than junior cricket. “The standard of batting, bowling and fielding in India ‘A’ is different, and the pressure is slightly higher than the under-19 level.

It helps the under-19 cricketers who are picked for India ‘A’ to experience this level and make themselves ready for the big league.”