Ahead of the ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup, two contrasting situations have emerged in the Indian camp. While young sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi is in the best form of his career, captain Ayush Mhatre’s lack of runs with the bat has become a cause of concern for Team India.

Suryavanshi has turned into a nightmare for bowlers. In a practice match against Scotland, he smashed a breathtaking 96 off just 50 balls, including nine fours and seven sixes. Over the past month, he has scored four centuries—three for the India Under-19 side and one for Bihar’s senior team in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. His power-hitting ability and fearless approach have often propelled India to scores in excess of 350. Stopping Suryavanshi will be a major challenge for every opposition in the World Cup.

On the other hand, captain Ayush Mhatre, who has made a mark at the senior level by opening for Mumbai in domestic cricket and for Chennai Super Kings in the IPL, has struggled to find form in the Under-19 one-day format. He had a disappointing run in the Asia Cup in December and managed only 22 runs in the practice match against Scotland. The captain’s lack of form ahead of the tournament could affect the team’s balance.

Nevertheless, India’s middle order appears strong. The likes of Aaron George and Vihan Malhotra have the ability to anchor the innings, while finishers such as Abhishek Kundu and Kanishk Chauhan can provide the required acceleration in the final overs.

India will begin their World Cup campaign against the USA. In the group stage, they will also face strong sides like New Zealand and Bangladesh, promising tough competition. Considering the current team combination and the excellent form of several players, India are widely expected to have a strong chance of qualifying for the next stage of the tournament.