The International Cricket Council (ICC) just released the revised schedule for the ICC U-19 World Cup (men's). The tournament would kick off with the host South Africa facing West Indies in Bloemfontein, South Africa on 19th January 2024. Defending champions India will face Bangladesh in their first game on 20th January. Initially, the tournament was scheduled to be played in Sri Lanka, but it was changed to five venues across South Africa, two months before the event.

Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein, Buffalo Park in East London, Kimberley Oval in Kimberley, JB Marks Oval in Potchefstroom and Willowmoore Park in Benoni are the venues selected to be the hosts of the 41 games of the 11th edition of the ICC U19 World Cup (Men's). Willowmoore Park in Benoni will host the semi-finals on the 6th and 8th of February along with the final on the 11th of February 2024.

Also Read: ICC Men's U19 Cricket World Cup 2024: Every Squad of the 2024 U19 World Cup

New format of the ICC U19 World Cup 2024 (Men's)

The 11th edition of the tournament will have a new format where 12 teams from the group stage (three from each group) will qualify for the Super 6 round, where two groups will be made with six teams in each group. Teams qualifying from Group A and D will form the "Super 6 AD" group. Meanwhile, teams qualifying from Group B and C will form the "Super 6 BC" Group.

Also Read: Last ten winners of ICC U19 World Cup

India are the most successful team in the ICC U19 World Cup history with five titles. Meanwhile, Australia have won the event three times, Pakistan twice, along with England, Bangladesh, West Indies and South Africa winning it once.

ICC U19 World Cup 2024 Full Schedule

"This event has a long-standing tradition of unveiling the newest stars onto the international stage, and with fans given the opportunity to witness these players in action for free, we firmly believe the stage is set for another thrilling edition," said Chris Tetley, ICC Head of Events.

ICC U19 World Cup is one platform that gives the young and youth to showcase their talent to the world. The tournament has always had great names like Brian Lara, Virat Kohli, and Yashasvi Jaiswal to be the latest.

Incepted in 1988, the ICC U19 World Cup 2024 will be the 15th edition of the tournament. Before we get to see many more stars in the making, we have decided to make a current ODI playing XI for you with all the players who once were ICC U19 World Cup stars.

Openers | Rohit Sharma and Travis Head

Now, we cannot doubt this. There will be very few people who would put a finger on this decision. Rohit, the current Indian men's team captain is a no-brainer when it comes to choosing an opener for the white ball format. Travis Head, who had a terrific show in the ICC World Cup 2023, showed how lethal he could be at the top of the order. Moreover, his off-spinners can come in handy, if needed.

For your information, David Warner missed this playing XI, just because he announced his retirement from the ODI ball format in 2023.

Rohit will be the captain of this dream team as well.

Rohit played in the 2006 ICC U19 World Cup alongside Cheteshwar Pujara, who was the top scorer of that edition. On the other hand, Head featured in the 2012 U19 World Cup when Unmukt Chand's India defeated Australia in the final.

Also Read: ICC Men's U19 Cricket World Cup 2024: Every Squad of the 2024 U19 World Cup

Number 3 | Virat Kohli

Another obvious choice. Probably the greatest white ball player of this generation, Virat Kohli, with 51 ODI tons, enters into any dream ODI XI. Kohli featured in the 2008 ICC U19 World Cup and took India to the title glory, beating South Africa in the final. Kohli's aggression, leadership and hunger to win had impressed one and all in the World Cup.

Number 4 | Kane Williamson

The 2008 ICC U19 World Cup probably gave the most number of modern-day stars than any other edition. Along with Kohli, players like Kane Williamson, and Steven Smith emerged as the stars of that U19 World Cup and then eventually created the "Fav Four". Williamson makes the cut for me at number four in this team. Sorry, Smith and Root fans.

Number 5 | Aiden Markram

More than 1000 runs in 2023, and in current form, probably the best middle-order batter in the world, Aiden Markram comes at number 5 on our Dream ODI XI with past ICC U19 World Cup stars.

Markram announced himself to the world after becoming the first-ever South African captain to win any ICC World Cup when he led the South African U19 team to glory in 2014. He was the player of the tournament as well in that edition. There were more options at number with KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Mushfiqur Rahim and others, but, Markram goes in our list.

Also Read: Player of the tournament in every ICC U19 World Cup

Number 6 | Ben Stokes

At number 6, every team loves to have a proper allrounder and Ben Stokes is just that. A match winner on his own terms, although he had some concerns with his injuries, but there is no one even close to him to make it into this team. He will be our number fifth bowling option as well.

Stokes featured in the 2010 ICC U19 World Cup along with players like Joe Root, KL Rahul, Babar Azam, Mitchell Marsh, and others.

Wicket-keeper | Jos Buttler

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On current and recent form, KL Rahul was surely pushing him for the spot, but Jos Buttler made the cut with his ability to score in different parts of the ground. A versatile and adaptive player who can be used at the top of the order as well can be helpful for any team.

Just like Ben Stokes, Buttler featured in the 2010 ICC U19 World Cup.

Number 8 | Ravindra Jadeja

This was a tough choice to make whether to go with the No.1 ODI all-rounder in the world in Shaki-Al-Hasan or with Ravindra Jadeja. Both the Allorunders featured in the 2006 ICC U19 World Cup although Jadeja was in the 2008 World Cup as well.

Since Jadeja is more accustomed to batting down the order, we are going with Jadeja. But, it is a shame that we were unable to put the No.1 all-rounder in the format in our team.

Number 9 | Rashid Khan

At no 9, Rashid Khan picks himself in any ODI XI at the moment. Tough to get away, quick and a match-winner with the ball, is now capable with the bat as well, down the order. A player like Rashid Khan will be key to any team in the middle overs, as that period now seems to be the most crucial one in ODI cricket.

Rashid featured in 2016 edition of the ICC U19 World Cup.

Pacers | Kagiso Rabada and Shaheen Afridi

No doubt in this selection as well. Kagiso has become a South African modern-day great now after announcing himself in that historical 2014 ICC U19 World Cup along with Aiden Markram. His 6/25 in the semifinal dismantling of Australia, is regarded as one of the greatest spells in the ICC U19 World Cup history.

Meantime, Rabada's partner in crime in this team would be Shaheen Afridi. Tall, quick, left-arm, swings it in and is good in the death as well. You do not need anything more than that in a pacer. Shaheen emerged on the scene in the 2018 ICC U19 World Cup which saw Shubman Gill becoming the player of the tournament as well.

Players who missed out due to team combination: Steven Smith, Shakib Al Hasan, Joe Root, Mitchell Marsh, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, and Mushfiqur Rahim.

Women's Cricket is rising forward as the "All Indian Women's Selection Committee" selects a total of 25 players for U19 high performance while three players are selected from Bengal.

Also Read: Women's Cricket Exclusive: Bowls fast, hits it long, runs 2km under 8 min, Titas Sadhu is ready for bigger stage

Titas Sadhu, Bidisha Paul, and Hrishitha Basu are the three players from Bengal who are selected for their outstanding performance in recent times.

Moreover, three players from Mumbai and five players from UP have also got a chance on the list of 25 players. Two players each from Hyderabad and Karnataka have also been added to the list. Meanwhile, the rest of the 10 players are one each from Andhra, Assam, MP, Maharashtra, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Himachal, Jharkhand, Delhi, and Haryana.

It's just a pre-preparation for the upcoming Under 19 Women's World Cup. These 25 players will get a chance to showcase their talent to earn a place in the final team that will represent India in the tournament.

Check out the complete list of the 25 players below.

Women's Cricket: The Full list of 25 players

Read Also: Commonwealth Games 2022: Full schedule and fixture of Women's Cricket matches

The Maharashtra Sports Ministry accused the ICC U-19 World Cup's star Rajvardhan Hangargekar of the allegations of age-fudging. Omprakash Bakoria, the Commissioner of Sports and Youth Department claimed that Rajvardhan did things against sports ethics. This step will lead to damage the reputation of Indian Sports.

Read also: Rishabh Pant will be unavailable for the third T20I against West Indies

According to Sportstar, BCCI is unlikely to take any kind of action against the cricketer. The young cricketer had passed the age verification protocol based on bone taste previously during the time of his initiation into the age group inter-state system. Also, a BCCI insider confirmed Sportstar that Rajvardhan first played for Maharashtra in U-16 during 2016-17. The TW3 test during that time confirmed that his age was at par with the documents.

Read also: Virat Kohli will be unavailable for the third T20I against West Indies as BCCI has given a bio-bubble break

"Mr. Rajvardhan Hangargekar is against the sport's integrity and ethics": Om Prakash Bakoria

Om Prakash wrote a letter to the BCCI attached with proof of his claim. Om Prakash Bakoria wrote, "The conduct of Mr. Rajvardhan Hangargekar is against the sport's integrity and ethics. lt deprives fair play and results into damages to the reputation of the nation. Therefore, you are requested to take strict action in accordance with the law. If the Head Master requires any corrections in birth date, it is necessary to take prior permission of Education officer of concerned district. However, no such permission has been taken for making changes in the birth date of Mr. Rajvardhan Hangargekar from 10/01/2001 to 10/11/2002 by the Head Master of Terna Public School, Osmanabad. As per the report of Chief Executive Officer (lAS), Zilla Parishad, Osmanabad, the birth date of said player is 10/01/2001, and therefore, he has completed 21 years of age at the time of tournament."

India's under 19 World Cup star Rajvardhan Hangargekar got the accusation of committing age-fudging. Omprakash Bakoria, the Commissioner of Sports and Youth Department, Maharashtra claimed that the U-19 cricketer committed age fudging. According to Saamana newspaper, he also wrote a letter to BCCI where he has attached evidence against the young cricketer. 

Read also: IPL 2022: Simon Katich quits as SRH didn't follow the pre-auction plan

Rajvardhan Hangargekar was a student of Terna Public School and his actual age is 21 years. It has come to light that his birth date was changed from 10 January 2001 to 10 November 2002 while his readmission to Class 8. Due to the change of his birth date, he was eligible to participate in the ICC U19 World Cup. Everyone well appreciated his performance as he scalped 5 wickets in 6 matches.

Read also: India Vs West Indies: 2nd T20I Full Preview, Lineups, Pitch Report, And Dream11 Team Prediction

According to the publication, the IAS officer also sent pieces of evidence in the form of Dharashiv Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Rahul Gupta's confirmation. He also confirmed the changing of Hangagekar's birth date.

In the recently conducted IPL auction 2022, Chennai Super Kings bought him for Rs 1.5 crore

The much-awaited IPL 2022 Mega Auction has completed finally on Sunday. All the 10 franchise have elected their favorite players for the upcoming seasons. In this auction, many of the youngsters have got a chance to showcase their talent on a bigger stage of world cricket. In this article, SportzPoint will try to find out those five young talents who can make their name in IPL 2022.

#5. Tilak Verma | Mumbai Indians

The most successful franchise in the world Mumbai Indians has bought Tilak Verma at the IPL Mega Auction 2022. Tilak Verma has made his first-class debut for Hyderabad in Ranji Trophy 2018-19 season and his T20 debut in SMAT 2019. He is a left-handed batsman who can also bowl right-arm off-break. Tilak Verma is a middle-order batsman and will play for MI in the upcoming seasons.

Also Read: IPL 2022: Probable captains of each team

#4. Rashik Dar | Kolkata Knight Riders

Kolkata Knight Riders have bought Rashik Salam Dar at the Mega Auction on Sunday. Rashik is a right-arm fast bowler who plays for Jammu and Kashmir in domestic cricket. Moreover, Rashik Salam has already played for Mumbai Indians in IPL 2019. However, in June 2019, The BCCI has banned him for two years following a discrepancy with his birth certificate. In the upcoming season, Rashik will represent Kolkata based franchise and can make a huge impact with his immense pace.

Read Also: IPL Mega Auction 2022: 5 Most expensive players of this season

#3. Raj Bawa | Punjab Kings

Raj Angad Bawa was bought by Punjab Kings at a whopping 2 CR price. Bawa is a right-arm medium-fast bowler and a left-handed batsman who plays for Himachal Pradesh in domestic level cricket. He took 4 wickets and scored 35 runs in the Under-19 finals earlier this month and helped India to lift up the trophy for the fifth time in ICC U-19 history. Raj Bawa was also awarded the man of the match in the finals. Bawa can definitely make a huge impact for Punjab Kings in the upcoming seasons.

#2. Rajvardhan Hangargekar | Chennai Super Kings

Chennai Super Kings has bought Rajvardhan Hangargekar at the mega auction on Sunday. Hangargekar is an all-rounder and he represented India at the ICC U-19 World Cup. He plays for Maharashtra in domestic level cricket. He made his T20 debut in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2021 for Maharashtra. Hangargekar is a right-arm fast-medium bowler and a right-handed batsman who will play for CSK this season.

Also Read: IPL 2022: Most expensive players from each team

#1. Dewald Brevis | Mumbai Indians

Mumbai Indians have bought another youngster who has rocked the ICC U-19 World Cup 2022. Yes, we are talking about Dewald Brevis who has been crowned the player of the tournament in the recently conducted ICC U-19 World Cup. Brevis is a South African cricketer from Johannesburg, who made his T20 debut in 2021. Dewald Brevis is an all-rounder. He is a right-handed batsman who can also bowl leg breaks. Brevis will be playing for Mumbai Indians for the upcoming seasons of IPL.