ABP Exclusive: Reetinder Sodhi Hails Rahul Dravid As X Factor Behind Success Of India's U-19 Team

Reetinder Singh Sodhi , the hero of India's First Under 19 World Cup victory, credits Rahul Dravid behind the success of the current Indian Under 19 team

Reetinder Sodhi and yuvraj Singh posing with their awards during ICC U-19 World Cup final (Twitter: Reetinder Singh Sodhi)

New Delhi: He was in the middle and played a decisive role in India's first under 19 World Cup victory 20 years ago. India, under the leadership of Mohd. Kaif was up against the Sri Lankans in the summit clash and weren't  placed well in a modest chase of 179 after losing key wickets early in the innings. However, Reetinder Singh Sodhi's unbeaten and valuable 39 runs resurrected a faltering innings and helped the team clinch the glittering piece of silverware for the first time, fetching him the Man of the Match award in the finals.

The key member of India's first under 19 World Cup winning team spoke to ABP Sports Correspondent Kuntal Chakraborty on the eve of 2020 under 19 World Cup final between India and Bangladesh. Here are the excerpts of the interview:

Q - Can you recollect some of the memories of the year 2000. What was the most memorable experience in that World Cup ?

Sodhi - The best experience obviously was in the finals when we won the World Cup . I had a very quite tournament till the finals and suddenly had to take a lot of responsibility while Sri Lanka were batting first. I can remember that I bowled 10 overs at a stretch and gave away just 26 runs to keep the opposition under 200 runs . But the real pressure situation was when we lost quick wickets of Kaif and Yuvraj while chasing on a slower track . I played the  match winning innings along with Neeraj Patel and that was a memory in itself. I am always grateful to God that I won the man of the match award and could play that important knock under pressure .

Q - This is perhaps the first big stage where these junior cricketers take such enormous pressures . How difficult is it when you play under 19 World Cup as most cricketers only get a single opportunity to showcase themselves in Under 19 World Cup because of the age factor ?

Sodhi -- World Cup ,the tag itself is very big . Be it at the junior level or senior . World Cup is always huge huge pressure . I had some prior experience of playing the Under 15 World Cup and we managed to win that as well. Pressure is always there on the cricketers but since now a days they play a lot of domestic cricket , most of them get used to it by the time they play at this level. I think big players are those who handle these situations well and win matches for the country. Even in this team there are match winners and I am sure some of them will emerge as big players in future .

Let me take you back to the year 2000 . Roger Binny was our coach and we worked a lot on our mental aspect in the training sessions . We didn't lose a single match in the tournament which is a testimony to the fact that we were ready to deal with pressure situations.

Q -- Some of the cricketers of this Under 19 squad are already playing with the seniors in Ranji Trophy and will even play in IPL . Does it help when you play at the senior level ?

Sodhi -- Yes , it makes a lot of difference . But I would say the 'X' factor behind the success of this team is Rahul Dravid . He spends a lot of time with the junior cricketers at the under 19 or India A level and the youngsters are learning a lot under his guidance . If you are learning under such big stars it makes a lot of difference and it takes the pressures away when you are playing at the junior level. Even when I was about to make my debut at the international level I didn't feel any pressure. Legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly motivated and encouraged me so well that I was mentally prepared for the stage. They made the job of the youngsters easy and the transformation from a boy to a man wasn't that difficult with their help .

Q - Have you seen Yashasvi Jaiswal . How would you rate him ?

Sodhi -- He is a very talented and hard working cricketer. Someone who has come through a lot grinding and he seems far matured than his age . It could be because of the fact that he plays a lot of cricket and spends hours and hours at the nets .  He seems to be ready for any kind of situations. Yashasvi belongs to the fraternity of very hard working cricketers and I am sure he will make it big . But now he has to be a little cautious in his approach as after these tournaments you become household names and it could be distracting . He has to keep his balance here but he looks cool, composed , collective and the boy to be noted in the notebook.

Q -- India is looking firm favourites to lift the title . What's your take on the final battle ?

Sodhi -- I believe India should win. We have fielded and bowled well through out the tournament . Our batting was consistent and the boys have shown that they can handle the pressure situations well. See, you have to keep your composure under pressure and that is the key in a final match . We were also under pressure 20 years back when myself and Neeraj Patel were in the middle when we were chasing . I think the coach and the support staffs will talk to the boys before the all important match and tell them not to be complacent. We have dominated the entire tournament and should play well in the finals . One big game and one more victory will make them stars and who knows , in a few years 2 or 3 players from this side might make it big for the senior Indian side.