U-19 World Cup: Colts try to stay away from IPL auction buzz

FATULLAH: It was barely half-an-hour into the first nets session after the Indians had booked their quarterfinal berth in the ICC Under-19 World Cup. An otherwise calm coach, Rahul Dravid thundered: "I know you guys can hit a lot of sixes. But at least see where the balls are ending up." The practice balls were going out of the stadium and Dravid did not like it.
The former India captain understands that this is the IPL generation of Indian cricket, which needs to keep its head on its shoulders.The team management and the players insisted that Saturday's auction is not playing on their minds the colts will be playing their quarterfinal match against Namibia when the auction would be on back home. But the fact of the matter is this budding generation values the IPL which gives them the opportunity to make a mark, earn big money and instant fame.
Skipper Ishan Kishan put it rather straight. "We don't have to think about it now. Iske baad IPL hi toh khelna hai, I hope. (We have to ultimately play in IPL after this). I have stopped taking calls during this tournament. I can't let distractions come in my way. Lot of people, mostly friends and relatives, were asking me about my IPL prospects. I have kept it all aside," Ishan told TOI on Friday.
Calls from agents, sponsors and franchisees are all part of an Indian cricketer's life now.
Six members of this Indian team are on the auction list. Besides Ishan, his opening partner and wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant, batsman Armaan Jaffer, pacer Avesh Khan and allrounders Mahipal Lomror and Mayank Dagar have all got a base price of Rs 10 lakh. Star batsman Sarfaraz Khan has already been retained by the Royal Challengers Bangalore.
"Oh god, I hope the bat is not broken. Issi se IPL mein todunga. (I'll use this bat to smack everything in IPL)," exclaimed batsman Sarfaraz Khan after a low full-toss hit his bat during the nets session on Wednesday. And just when he went in to take strike on Friday, he announced to the rest of his mates: "Brothers, aaj maramari nahin karenge (We'll not slog today). Let's play proper shots."
It is learnt that Zaheer Khan, who is with the Delhi Daredevils as a mentor, has been looking out for Rishabh."Many calls come from agents and other places. I divert them to the ones I trust. But that has nothing to do with this U-19 World Cup," stated Rishabh whose 24-ball 78 in the last match against Nepal created a lot of buzz. He even got calls from the board officials that day for scoring the fastest half-century. Armaan doesn't have to bother about such calls as everything is filtered down to him by his uncle, former India opener Wasim Jaffer.
"There have been calls by IPL teams for trials but we didn't go because the BCCI wanted us to focus on the World Cup. We'll see what happens but let's get done with this job first," Avesh said.
"These are kids. Such a buzz is bound affect their minds. But we don't discuss the auction with them. We let them be. BCCI has done well in not allowing these boys to go for trials ahead of the tournament," said a source close to the team management.
"These boys know that they are being talked about. They are handling it well and then there is Rahul who will ensure that they don't get carried away. One good thing is that they will be on the field when the auction happens," said the source.
Over to the auction and the action on the field!