India will bat first in their campaign-opening match of the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup 2024 against Bangladesh. The Bangla colts skipper Mahfuzur Rahman Rabby won the toss and elected to field at the Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein on Saturday, January 20, 2024. (More Cricket News)

Explaining his rationale for bowling first, Rahman said that the wicket looks like it would help the bowlers early on. He further said that they are working on the process of keeping things simple and added that his team is going with three pace bowlers and six batters.

India U-19 captain Uday Saharan said it is a good feeling to be the defending champions and a proud moment. Saharan added that they too wanted to bowl first, but were prepared to bat too. 

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Bangladesh head into the tournament with a good run of reslts, and are the Under-19 Asia Cup champions. India, on the other hand, are the most successful team in the tournament, having won the title five times. India won their first ICC U-19 World Cup trophy in 2002 with Mohammad Kaif at the helm. Subsequent national teams have gone on to win the World Cup in 2008, 2012, 2018 and 2022. 

The event features 16 teams, divided into four groups with four teams each. The 2024 edition of the tournament was moved from Sri Lanka to South Africa in a late adjustment by the International Cricket Council. 

Playing XIs

India Under-19: Adarsh Singh, Arshin Kulkarni, Musheer Khan, Uday Saharan (C), Sachin Dhas, Priyanshu Moliya, Aravelly Rao (WK), Murugan Abhishek, Saumy Pandey, Raj Limbani, Naman Tiwari.

Bangladesh Under-19: Ashiqur Rahman Shibli (WK), Jishan Alam, Rizwan Chowdhury, Ariful Islam, Ahrar Amin, Md. Shihab James, Mahfuzur Rahman (C), Sheikh Paevez Jibon, Md. Rohanat Doullah Borson, Md Iqbal Hasan Emon, Maruf Mridha.