Hard work of boys begins here: Rahul Dravid on U-19 World Cup win
Mumbai, Feb 5 (IBNS): The Under-19 Indian team may have won the World Cup title but head coach Rahul Dravid on Monday sent out a cautionary signal to the boys who have recently brought laurels to the country.
Dravid, at a press conference held in Mumbai, said: "The real hard work of the boys begins here."
The coach said the boys will have to play the first class cricket from now on with an aim to be selected to the national team. "The boys will be playing the first class matches and won't be remembered like the way were in the World Cup. That will be a challenge."
The Under-19 Indian team on Monday reached Mumbai and the cricketers have received a grand welcome at the city airport.
While asked about the biggest satisfaction in the tournament as a coach, Dravid looked beyond the trophy win.
He said: "The real satisfaction is the process which we followed in last 15-16 months, that is the planning and preparations to develop the young players."
"I am happy for all the 15 boys. They thoroughly deserve it. The way they had executed the plans gives satisfaction. I am glad that the boys have got the experience of playing the World Cup final" Dravid added.
Prithvi Shaw, who led the Indian team in the tournament, was sitting right beside Dravid.
Shaw, who was seen overjoyed at the World Cup victory on Saturday, said: "It is a proud and different feeling to play for India."
India had demolished Australia in the final of the tournament to lift the World Cup for the fourth time.
Indian batsman Shubman Gill was the man of the tournament.
The tournament was held in New Zealand this time.
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