Jason Jaskirat Singh Sangha, the teenager who shot to headlines earlier last month for joining the league of Sachin Tendulkar will lead the Kangaroos in the upcoming U-19 World Cup.
Jason made the headlines when he became the second youngest cricketer after Sachin Tendulkar to score a first-class century against England in Townsville, Queensland in Australia in November. He was just 18 years and 62 days when he scored his maiden century with 133 total off 226 balls.
Jason was also the youngest Indian person to join New South Wales cricket team at the age of 16 while he was still in high school in 2016.
Cricket Australia XI batsman Jason Sangha celebrates scoring a century on day 4 of the tour match between Cricket Australia XI and England at Riverway Stadium (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)
Jason has been selected in the squad along with another Indian origin cricketer Param Uppal, Steve Waugh’s son Austin Waugh, and Cricket Australia’s chief executive James Sutherland’s son Will Sutherland.
Jason is a middle order batsman and right arm leg-break spinner. 18 year Param Uppal is a classy right-handed batsman who scored 370 runs at this year’s under-19 championships at an average of over 60, and he too bowls right-arm off-spin.
Jason Sangha, Will Sutherland and Param Uppal, in Australia's u 19 cricket team (Picture: sbs.com.au)
“The captaincy is an amazing opportunity for myself, and I’m privileged to be able to not only represent my country but to lead my country with pride. It wasn’t too much of a surprise since I captained a few games earlier in the year against Sri Lanka,” Jason told the media.
Australia last won the U-19 World Cup in 2010. Australia has been drawn in Pool B and begins its World Cup campaign against India on January 14th at Tauranga’s Bay Oval.