And while India may have lost the U-19 World Cup final, they’ve certainly proved their mettle with a brilliant 15-match winning streak that was finally snapped by the West Indies in Mirpur.

It’s still been a great stage for some of India’s brightest cricket prospects to showcase their potential. 

Here are five names you should remember — who could follow in the footsteps of former U-19 stars like Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, Mohammed Kaif and Shikhar Dhawan who became mainstays in the senior team. Clearly, it’s not the end of the road for this bunch.

Sarfaraz Khan – Mumbai

Sarfaraz is already a household name with some robust performances for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League last year. He’s now shown his worth for India as well and if anyone is in prime position to step up from the U-19s to the senior team, it’s him.

In six matches at the World Cup, he scored 355 runs at an average of 71. His has a solid strike-rate of 86.79 and slammed five fifties with a highest score of 76. He hit 35 fours and five sixes and ended as second-highest scorer in the tournament.

Rishabh Pant – Delhi

Rishabh Pant is holder of the record for the fastest fifty scored in U-19 cricket. If he had survived for a few more deliveries and scored at the same strike-rate, he would have broken the record for the fastest century as well. 

Pant’s 267 runs scored at a strike-rate of 104.29 were vital in propelling India to the final and his performances earned him a Rs 1.9 crore contract from Delhi Daredevils for the 2016 IPL season. In Bangladesh, he scored one ton, two fifties with the help of 33 fours and nine sixes. His average was 44.50.

Avesh Khan – Madhya Pradesh

The pacer doesn’t set the pitch on fire with his pace but he’s got excellent discipline. Khan’s 12 wickets in six matches helped India skittle opponents out for manageable totals. His economy of 3.48 and average of 15.08 are massive bonus points.

Mayank Dagar – Himachal Pradesh

Spinner Mayank Dagar made the most of familiar sub-continental conditions in Bangladesh but came up with the goods in the final as well — when the pitch favoured pacers more than slower bowlers. His 3/25 was pivotal in India contesting a final where they had posted just 145 runs batting first. Dagar ended the tournament with 11 wickets at an average of 9.36 and an economy of 2.88. He bowled six maidens as well.

Mahipal Lomror -Rajasthan

India have found themselves short of proper all-rounders but Lomror is one in the making. He is handy with the bat: 133 runs in five innings at an average of 33.25 and strike-rate of 100.75 (seven fours and six sixes), and not bad with the ball at all: seven wickets with economy of 3.75 and average of 18.85. 

Feature image source: PTI