U19 WORLD CUP | Fighting spirit defined this Indian team: Deepesh

Silence, emotion, and quiet pride marked India’s u-19 World Cup triumph, according to D. Deepesh, who said the team struggled to find words immediately after the final moments. “No one knew what to say. We were all silent and emotional,” he recalled over phone on Saturday.

For the 18-year-old pacer, the title felt deeply personal. “We are winning after four years. I felt proud and emotional,” he said, adding that his “parents and everyone back home” shared the joy. “This is the result of our hard work,” he said.

Reflecting on the journey, Deepesh said he arrived at the preparatory camps before the World Cup with limited clarity, but emerged more confident and “mature” as a bowler.

“I learned about bowling speed, bowling style, and how to bowl,” he said, pointing to camps held ahead of tours to England, Australia, and the Asia Cup as key to his development.

The Indian players celebrate a wicket symblosing their team spirit.
| Photo Credit:
X@BCCI

The most challenging match, according to him, came against Bangladesh. “At one point, it looked like they were going to win. We learned we should stay together as a team. We didn’t give up and fought back,” he said.

That fighting spirit, Deepesh believes, defined this Indian side — a team that stayed united, resilient, and unyielding till the end. “We were all a team. No one gave up on each other,” he said.

Emotional and collective, says Ambrish

All-rounder R.S. Ambrish described the moments after the final as emotional and collective rather than personal. “We were all very happy. I didn’t even expect that moment. Everyone was on their toes and running. We dedicated it for each other. We played as a team. So, it felt like a reward for everyone’s hard work,” he said over phone.

All rounder Ambrish during the final.
| Photo Credit:
X@BCCI

One of the defining off-field moments of the campaign came before the high-pressure clash against Pakistan, when Sachin Tendulkar addressed the squad. “He gave many good examples,” Ambrish said. “As players, we go through bad patches. He spoke about how to recover from it – that there will be bad phases in cricket, but we shouldn’t let ourselves down and come back up. He spoke about the mindset.”

On the field, the World Cup marked a significant phase in the pacer’s evolution, particularly with the new ball. “My bowling was a bit back-of-the-length earlier. This time I tried putting it more on the up (fuller lengths),” said the 18-year-old, adding that subtle outswing was his strength.

Reflecting on the campaign’s impact, Ambrish called the u-19 World Cup “the starting stage of one’s career,” noting that strong performances can open doors to the State team and beyond. His long-term ambition is clear: “Main goal is to see myself in the senior India team.”