From Virat Kohli to Kane Williamson: 5 cricketers who captained national U-19 and senior teams
Every cricketer comes up to the national side by featuring and representing the nation's under-19 side. A few players lead the U-19 side, while they also go on to captain the senior national side, somewhere down the line, as we take a look.
FollowA cricketer's primary job is to play the sport at the highest level and lead his side to victory. Based on his prolific gameplay and pressure-handling qualities, he is chosen to lead the side as the captain.
It all starts at the junior level, while his first recognition comes at the under-19 circuit, both as player and captain. Provided he continues to fare well, he goes on to represent the senior national side.
Based on his performance, he is chosen to lead even the senior side. On the same note, we look at the cricketers who captained their U-19 and senior national sides.
Mushfiqur Rahim: Bangladeshi wicketkeeper-batsman, Mushfiqur Rahim is one of the youngest debutants for the side, having made his Test debut at the age of 16 and has gone on to become the most successful player in the department for Bangladesh. During the 2006 ICC U-19 World Cup when the led the side, along with Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal. While the side was knocked out in the quarters, it was five years later when he took over the national side's leadership duties. Nonetheless, he hasn't been as effective.
Eoin Morgan: In case one does not remember, Morgan began his international career with Ireland. During the 2006 U-19 CWC, he led the Irish side, besides finishing as the second-highest run-scorer of the tournament. However, just three years later, he was chosen to represent England. He became a prolific batsman in the side, while it was in 2015 when he took over the leadership duties from Alastair Cook. The team is doing gloriously well under him, especially in the limited-overs circuit, as the side won its maiden ICC World Cup in 2019.
Hashim Amla: Amla is one of the most productive batsmen for South Africa. It all began in 2002 when he led the side during the U-19 CWC, while it finished as the runner-up. Just a couple of years later, he was selected to represent the senior national side. Ten years later, he was chosen as the captain for the Test side, after Graeme Smith retired, thus becoming the nation's first non-white permanent captain of the format. However, a string of poor run compelled him to step down in 2016.
Kane Williamson: The reigning Kiwi skipper is currently one of the best batsmen in world cricket. While he made his First-Class debut in 2007, it was a year later when he was chosen to lead the side during the U-19 CWC, where it lost to India in the semis. A couple of years later, he made his senior debut, in the One-Day Internationals. Since 2016, following Brendon McCullum's retirement, he has been effectively leading New Zealand across formats, finishing as the runner-up during the 2019 CWC.
Virat Kohli: The reigning Indian skipper is someone who needs no introduction. During the 2008 U-19 CWC, he led the side and helped it win the title, while he finished as the third-highest run-scorer of the tournament. Although he made his international debut a couple of years later, it was not until 2015 when he got the chance to lead the senior side, following the successful skipper's retirement, MS Dhoni. He has been doing a commendable job leading the side, especially in the longest format.
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