South Asians Reflect On Their Under-19 Cricket WC Experience

Snehith Reddy is back at school after posting the highest individual score in a match at the 2024 under-19 Cricket World Cup in South Africa.

The all-rounder's unbeaten 147 against Nepal during the group stage propelled New Zealand to victory in the match.

"It was extremely special to have the family there and for them to watch it," Reddy says. "I love to remember it."

Based in Hamilton, the 17-year-old originally hails from Andhra Pradesh, a southern state in India.

Despite New Zealand's early elimination from the tournament during the Super Sixes stage, Reddy considers the experience to be invaluable.

"I believe that coming from a tournament like that, you can gather a wealth of insights and apply them to your own game, ultimately enhancing your skills," Reddy says.

He hopes to transition to professional domestic cricket later this year and aims to secure a spot in the 2026 under-19 World Cup squad.

Oliver Tewatiya wants to play more cricket for New Zealand. Photo: Supplied

All-rounder Oliver Tewatiya also took a lot away from his time in South Africa.

"It was a unique experience and I definitely learned a lot from it," he says.

The 2024 tournament was Tewatiya's first appearance at a World Cup.

Having relocated from New Delhi to New Zealand at the age of 10, the 17-year-old currently resides in Wellington.

"My most significant takeaway was probably realizing the extensive preparation required to compete in tournaments of this magnitude," he says.

"Training is one aspect, but understanding the importance of nutrition, sleep cycles and establishing routines was eye-opening."

He admits that nerves ran particularly high during the games, but wearing the New Zealand jersey was a dream come true for Tewatiya.

He recalls the thrill of performing on Sky Sports in front of a large audience, describing it as an "unreal" and "incredible" experience.

Tewatiya is also eager to incorporate the lessons learned from the tournament into his personal development.

He is also looking forward to another under-19 national tournament towards the end of the year.

Tewatiya says his parents were proud of his achievements.

"They missed me for more than a month while I was away, but they were really proud of me for going out there and playing for New Zealand," he says.