Cricket

Tamil Nadu's C. Andre Siddarth is set to embark on a journey to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with the Indian team for the ACC Men's U19 Asia Cup 2024. The 18-year-old batsman received the unexpected news on Wednesday night and immediately shifted his focus to the upcoming tournament.Despite the excitement of the selection, Siddarth remained grounded and prioritized the ongoing Ranji Trophy match against Railways. He played a crucial role in TN's first-innings lead, scoring a valuable 78 runs."The selection is not that important for me right now. This match was more significant because we needed to take the lead," Siddarth said after the second day's play. "When the time comes to travel and compete there (UAE), I'll shift my focus to that. Wherever I'm playing, that side comes first."Siddarth's maturity and dedication are evident in his approach to the game. He believes in honing his skills through both successes and setbacks."Performances are not always up to me. Some days you just get a good delivery... For me, each and every ball is a kind of test, and it's like writing an answer to a question," he said.Siddarth's selection for the U19 Asia Cup is a testament to his talent and hard work. He has consistently performed well at the domestic level and is now ready to represent India on the international stage.The U19 Asia Cup will be a major test for Siddarth and his teammates. They will face some of the best young players in Asia and will need to perform at their best to achieve success.Siddarth is confident in his team's abilities and is eager to contribute to their success. He believes that the team's focus and determination will be key to their performance."We have a good team and we're all working hard together. We're confident that we can do well in the tournament," Siddarth said.The U19 Asia Cup will be held in the UAE from December 14 to 28, 2024. India will be looking to defend their title and Siddarth will be hoping to play a key role in their success.

VVS Laxman, the legendary Indian batter, has extended his tenure as the head of the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru for at least another year. His initial three-year contract was set to expire in September 2023.Laxman's decision to extend his NCA role comes amidst interest from an IPL franchise for a head coach position. However, this opportunity is now unavailable due to his ongoing NCA commitments. He will continue to be supported by his team of experienced coaches, including Shitanshu Kotak, Sairaj Bahutule, and Hrishikesh Kanitkar.The extension of Laxman's contract coincides with the impending inauguration of the NCA's new state-of-the-art campus on the outskirts of Bengaluru. The foundation for this facility was laid in January 2022, 14 years after the Karnataka government sanctioned the land on a 99-year lease.The new NCA campus is expected to be operational from early next year and will boast an impressive array of amenities. It will feature at least 100 pitches, indoor facilities with 45 pitches, three international-sized grounds, a modern rehab center, lodging facilities, and Olympic-sized pools.During his first three-year term at the NCA, Laxman has continued the initiatives implemented by his predecessor, Rahul Dravid. These include injury management, player rehabilitation, coaching programs, and the development of roadmaps for senior teams, age-group cricket, and women's cricket.One of Laxman's key challenges will be the revival of the India A tour program, which has been sporadic over the past two years. Under Dravid's leadership, India A tours, both incoming and outbound, were more frequent.Laxman's extended tenure at the NCA is a testament to his commitment to developing Indian cricket. The new state-of-the-art campus will provide him with the resources to further enhance the academy's programs and facilities.