Thakare to join India squad for U-19 WC

NEW DELHI: Vidarbha medium-pacer Aditya Thakare, who made his first-class debut in the Rani Trophy final against Delhi and impressed everyone, is set to fly to New Zealand for the ICC Under 19 World Cup. TOI has reliably learnt that the 19-year-old will replace an injured Ishan Porel of Bengal.

Thakare is the second Vidarbha player after Faiz Fazal to be named in a junior World Cup squad. Faiz was part of the 2004 World Cup in Bangladesh but had to return after fracturing his thumb in a practice match.

"Aditya will going to New Zealand," a BCCI source told TOI on condition of anonymity on Monday. Porel injured his knee during India's 100-run victory against Australia on Sunday. Thakre was all set to play for Vidarbha in the Cooch Behar Under 19 semifinals which begins in Nagpur on Friday. He will miss the final too in case Vidarbha qualifies.

Former Rajasthan captain P Krishnakumar, who has coached Thakare at the Central Zone Zonal Cricket Academy, is elated with the news. "I was surprised when he did not get selected. Aditya is a brilliant bowler. He bowls immaculate line and length which is suited for one-day cricket," he said.