Keeper-Opening batsman Avi Barot named BCCI's u-19 cricketer of the year

[saneindian]

He was heartbroken when overlooked for national duty at the U-19 World Cup in 2010 held in New Zealand. Not allowing his emotions to get over him, he was more determined and focussed. This determination acted as catalyst in his four tons and three half-centuries in the 2010-11 Cooch Behar Trophy. Next month, GujaratÃÔ wicketkeeper-batsman Avi Barot will share stage with legends like Rahul Dravid, Ajit Wadekar among others at the BCCIÃÔ Annual Awards 2011 function in Chennai. Avi has been named the U-19 cricketer of the 2010-11 season after accumulating 971 runs in seven matches, which helped Gujarat lift its maiden Cooch Behar title earlier this year. Avi will receive MA Chidambaram Trophy and Rs50,000 for his feat. źes, I am thrilled. Three days ago, I got a call from BCCI asking for my documents. It has lot to do with me missing out the U-19 World Cup squad, said Avi, who was the backbone of Gujarat in its maiden, victorious U-19 campaign. He scored four centuries and three half-centuries in the tourney. AviÃÔ four centuries include 200 in one of the league matches against Uttar Pradesh. Against Maharashtra and Delhi, he scored 160 and 178 respectively before notching 123 against Himachal Pradesh in the semis. When asked which among the four centuries he considers special, his reply was prompt, ŵhe double century against Uttar Pradesh. Keeping wickets with pads on for the entire opposition innings and then opening the innings is never easy. Very few have been able to deliver on both the fronts. Moreover, he is also the captain of the side, leading from the front. "Since my U-15 days, I have been performing dual role (wicket-keeping and opening). At times, I do get tired, but I have to do it. Moreover, keeping the wickets has helped me a lot. Standing behind the wickets helps me to keep an eye on field settings. I can also judge the nature of the wicket which helps me during my batting," said the youngster, realising importance of his job. Barot credits former India stumper Saba Karim for fine-tuning his wicket-keeping skills early in his career. "Here, Parthivbhai and Mukund sir help me overcome flaws in my keeping and improve my batting. However, Saba Karim was a great help when I was at NCA. His guidance and valuable instructions have helped me tremendously," he added. The 20-year-old idolises icon Sachin Tendulkar. When they met at BKC ground in Mumbai a few months ago, Barot didn't miss the opportunity to get a few tips from his hero. "He guided us in our approach. He told us how to prepare for a shot on a particular wicket. Like, if it is a fast wicket, one has to play more shots on the back foot. When I put that into practice, it helped me in piling up big scores," said Barot, who made his Ranji Trophy debut against Delhi on his favourite ground in Valsad recently.

http://www.dnaindia.com/sport/report_avi-barot-named-u-19-cricketer-of-the-year_1616915 Congrats Avi. Can he be MSD's backup a few years down the line?

[zen]

hmmm .... another wk from Gujarat w/ good potential (and he opens too)

[rkt.india]

hmmm .... another wk from Gujarat w/ good potential (and he opens too)

WK/opener fro tests is not the right thing.

[zen]

WK/opener fro tests is not the right thing.

To some extent yes, if you have to bat after being on the field for 5 sessions .... on the other hand, if you are batting first then it could work for you But if the wk can open too, it gives great flexibility to the team. He can come in at #6 too where he is likely to face the 2nd new ball This is too early to say, but where he bats can be decided later and depending upon team composition if he is talented enough to play tests

[rkt.india]

he has a long way to go..there is huge difference in U19 and FC. He still is to prove in Ranji.

[zen]

he has a long way to go..there is huge difference in U19 and FC. He still is to prove in Ranji.

agree, which is why I said if he is talented enough to play test and since Dhoni has established himself both as the wk and captain, that wk slot in the short run is not available .... this also gives the youngster enough time to develop his game though

[Cricket Tragic]

he has a long way to go..there is huge difference in U19 and FC. He still is to prove in Ranji.

Agreed. We saw what happened to Dropthiv. Good stuff though!

[rkt.india]

Agreed. We saw what happened to Dropthiv. Good stuff though!

Parthive was drafted too early at the age of 17.

[Ultimate_Game]

Parthive was drafted too early at the age of 17.

That guy cost us the series win in Aus in 2004 along with Bucknor :mad:

[J P K]

Parthive was drafted too early at the age of 17.

how did that guy make into the team at that age :wall: don`t tell me dada spotted his talent and recommended his selection

[Ultimate_Game]

Nice to see young talent coming through and if he's anywhere close to Dhoni he would be a great asset for Team India in the future.

[rkt.india]

how did that guy make into the team at that age :wall: don`t tell me dada spotted his talent and recommended his selection

NO. he was doing well in U19 and was picked for England tour in 2002, did well with the bat there and then picked for Aussie.

[Cricket Tragic]

Parthive was drafted too early at the age of 17.

Yeah, from U-19 without playing FC cricket.

[gakgupta]

U-19 and Ranji are different levels and he has to prove in Ranji's even before we talk about him being back-up to Dhoni. We have seen so many players fade away. On a different note, we really need a good test wicket keeping batsmen. Dhoni is doing a good job and his technique wouldn't suit test match cricket. He is an invaluable asset to one day cricket and keeping him away from test cricket will allow him to play longer in one dayers..... Also, good to have different one day and test teams as it will distribute the work load.