ICC U-19 World Cup: New edition, same ambition

The most valuable lesson that sport, across eras, has imparted is that reaching the pinnacle is seldom easy. However, the process of translating talent on the field, rising through the ranks and ultimately plying your trade at the highest level is a journey worthy of an entire lifetime. In the lengthy process, a player's ability and temperament are put through the shredder and only the finest of the lot advance through. For youngsters taking to cricket with the hope to don the national colours for the senior side one day, inspirations are aplenty, no dream is too big and like in life, there are no short-cuts.

For its part, International Cricket Council (ICC) has done well to ensure there is continuity, progression and much-needed exposure for players via showpiece events. The Under-19 World Cup in that sense, has been an excellent platform for youngsters to not just put on display their talent but also grab the attention of the selectors in the process.

The upcoming 11th edition of the showpiece event, to be held in Bangladesh, will be played in Mirpur, Chittagong, Fatullah, Sylhet and Cox's Bazar. Like the previous edition, a total of 16 teams will compete from four groups in a round-robin and knockout format. The top two teams from each group will qualify for knockouts in the form of quarters, semis and final while the third and fourth-placed teams of the four groups will compete in the Plate competition.

Defending champions South Africa will kick-start their campaign against hosts Bangladesh and also face Namibia and Scotland in Group A. Two-time winners Pakistan will jostle with Sri Lanka, Canada and Afghanistan in Group B. Group C comprises of England, Fiji, West Indies and Zimbabwe while Three-time champions India face Ireland, who replaced Australia, New Zealand and Nepal in Group D.

History and the Making of Modern-Day Greats

As part of Australia's bicentenary celebrations, the cricket board started in 1987-88, what was then termed the Youth World Cup - comprising of the seven Test-playing nations and an ICC Associate Nations XI. The hosts went on to win the tournament but the stylish, left-handed West Indian batsman, also the skipper, caught the eye. Brian Lara would go on to make his international debut a couple of years later in 1990 and enjoy a 17-year-long career, decorated with records and recognition as one of the best to have played the sport. The same edition also saw the emergence of Sanath Jayasuriya, who, during his international days transformed the role of the modern-day opener with his marauding approach.

A ten-year break followed but when the ICC conducted the tournament in 1998, they decided to make it a biennial event. England claimed the crown in the second edition, held in South Africa. ICC extended their hand to seven smaller sides like Bangladesh, Scotland and Papua New Guineaalong withnine Testnations. The 16 teams were classified into four groups, interestingly named after former cricketing greats - Sunil Gavaskar, Garry Sobers, Colin Cowdrey and Don Bradman. In what was a sign of encouragement for the teams in action, big crowds gathered and cheered them on. It was the edition when an entertainer par excellence, Chris Gayle, took centre-stage for the first time to finish as the top-scorer of the tournament.

The 2000 edition was the coming of age of the group that formed the core of Sourav Ganguly's side in the new millennium. Under Mohammad Kaif's leadership, India remained unbeaten all through the tournament and beat Sri Lanka in the final to clinch their first U19 World Cup title, with Yuvraj Singh claiming the Man of the Series award for his all-round efforts (203 runs & 12 wickets in eight matches). This was also the edition when Graeme Smith top-scored, before earning his senior stripes and soon becoming the youngest skipper of the side at the age of 22.

India struggled to defend their title in 2002 but Australia came back into the reckoning with their second title under Cameron White, who has gone on to represent the senior team as well. Among the smaller sides, Zimbabwe stood out with their victory in the Plate competition, led by Tatenda Taibu, who soon became the senior side skipper - the country's first black captain.

The fact that all these prominent names alongwith the likes of Suresh Raina, Alastair Cook, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Tim Southee and Steven Smith came through from editions of the Under19 World Cup, up until the one in 2014, will come as a shot in the arm for the next lot of players vying for a similarly-successful journey to the senior side.

The results are there for all to see, the bar is there for the players to be raised. Come January 27, another batch of confident youngsters, some getting a second crack at the tournament, will come through. With undying hunger for success and the urge to make a strong case for themselves, they will play, compete, fall and rise in their quest to graduate with flying colours.