There are few better ways for a young cricketer to understand the essence of red-ball cricket than witnessing a Test batting masterclass live from the stands. That’s exactly the kind of experience India U19 boys were treated to at Edgbaston, courtesy of a thoughtful initiative by VVS Laxman, the head of BCCI’s National Cricket Academy and Centre of Excellence.
On Day 2 of the second India vs England Test, Shubman Gill played a gem of an innings, scoring a career-best 269. Among the crowd watching this incredible knock unfold was the entire India U19 contingent, led by head coach Hrishikesh Kanitkar, captain Ayush Mhatre, and the coaching staff.
Speaking to BCCI, Hrishikesh Kanitkar explained that it was Laxman’s idea to bring the boys to the stadium, believing it would be a perfect opportunity for them to absorb lessons firsthand.
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“VVS Laxman was instrumental in arranging this. He felt watching a day of Test cricket live would be invaluable for our young cricketers,” Kanitkar said in a video shared by BCCI. “For a batter, it was a chance to understand that every ball doesn’t have to be hit for four or six. Gill showed that you can score freely, stay true to your technique, and still play a dominating innings.”
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Kanitkar emphasized the classical nature of Gill’s innings, noting how he combined solid technique with smart shot selection—qualities that young players could relate to and emulate. “When they see someone like Gill succeed at the highest level by doing the basics well, it reinforces their belief that they can do it too,” he added.
For players like Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who has already shown promise in the ongoing Youth ODI series with consistent scores, the experience was both humbling and inspiring.
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“It was my first time watching a Test match in England. Gill is our role model, and seeing him live made me want to work even harder to play for India,” Vaibhav Suryavanshi said. Anmoljeet Singh, a spinner from Punjab like Gill, echoed the sentiment. “We were excited to go from the moment the idea was proposed. Watching Gill bat so fluently made me want to reach that level one day,” he said.
Currently leading the five-match Youth ODI series 2-1, the India U19 team is scheduled to play the fourth match on July 5 and the series finale on July 7, both at New Road in Worcester. The Edgbaston visit may just prove to be a turning point in shaping these youngsters into future stars.
