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

Virat Kohli with the 2008 ICC U19 World Cup trophy.

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

Kane Williamson in the 2008 ICC U19 World Cup. Image | Getty Images

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

Aiden Markram in the 2014 ICC U19 World Cup.

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

Ben STokes after scoring his ton against India in the Group A match in ICC U19 World Cup 2010 Image | Getty Images

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

Ravindra Jadeja played in both 2006 and 2008 U19 World Cups. Image | SwagCricket

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

Kagiso Rabada celebrates a wicket in the 2014 ICC U19 WC semi-final vs Australia. Image | ICC

Shaheen Shah Afridi celebrating a wicket in the 2018 ICC World Cup. Image | The Express Tribune

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.

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