The Hindu : Indian under-19 team returns

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Nov 08, 2003

Sport

Sport - Cricket

Indian under-19 team returns

NEW DELHI NOV. 7. It was a long and tiring drive, which spanned nearly 11 hours from the Wagah border to the Capital, as the Asia Cup under-19 cricket champion, India, returned home this evening.

Tired they were, but the presence of the television cameras brought the smiles on the weary faces of Ambati Rayudu and company, as they cheerfully posed for photos and fielded questions from the assembled media, which was not exactly in strength.

The team was originally scheduled to drive in a coach straight to the airport to help the players catch the flights to their different destinations. However, the drive was so long that the team management was thoughtful in not making the players spend a sleepless night at the airport, trying to get tickets.

The changed programme to keep the team in the Capital overnight and send them on Saturday morning had perhaps caught many off guard. And thus there were no garlands and sweets to receive the champion.

Coach Robin Singh was forthright with his comments and said that it was nice to achieve the target, but that most of the players should be given time to mature into complete professionals.

"Playing in Pakistan and winning the trophy was very satisfactory," said Robin Singh, who looked quite tired.

In fact, the players needed a few minutes to dress themselves up in their blazers before getting down from the bus, even as the television cameras waited patiently.

Irfan Pathan who had a good tournament, taking nine wickets in a match, and being adjudged the `player of the tournament' was the most sought after player, and he responded with cheer and modesty.

"I will keep working hard and taking wickets. It is up to God to give me what I deserve," Pathan said, even as he emphasised that he was keen to perform in every match, as he was one of the experienced players in the squad.

"It feels great to win the trophy," said Rayudu, who said that he was not looking beyond the next challenge - the under-19 World Cup to be played in Bangladesh.

He was all praise for Pathan especially for his bowling against Pakistan. "He bowled really well. He did a great job," Rayudu said.

The `man of the match' in the final, Robin Uthappa said that he felt his responsibility to deliver in the final, to give something back to the bowlers who had done a wonderful job through the tournament.

Robin Singh summed up the mood by saying that the players listened to him and cooperated totally in making it a success story.

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