Mon Dec 02 08:50:00 UTC 2024: ## Orphaned Teen Captain Leads India in U-19 Asia Cup

**Dubai, UAE:** Mohammad Amaan, the 18-year-old captain of the Indian Under-19 cricket team, carries a powerful story of hardship and resilience into the upcoming Asia Cup. The tournament, starting November 29th in the UAE, will see eight teams compete across two groups. Amaan’s journey, however, is as compelling as the tournament itself.

Hailing from Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, Amaan comes from humble beginnings. Orphaned at 16 after losing both parents – his mother to COVID-19 in 2020 and his father in 2022 – he faced significant challenges. His father was a truck driver and his mother a homemaker. He recalls early days playing cricket with borrowed bats and shoes, battling hunger, and even seeking employment to support himself.

Despite these setbacks, Amaan’s passion for cricket persevered. He honed his skills at Ambedkar Stadium in Saharanpur from 2014, progressing through the ranks of Uttar Pradesh’s under-14, under-16, and under-19 teams, eventually captaining the latter. He recently also captained India’s Under-19 team in a one-day series against Australia. Now, he leads the Indian team into the Asia Cup, carrying the hopes of a nation on his young shoulders. His team includes: Ayush Mhatre, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, C Andre Siddharth, Mohammad Amaan (captain), Kiran Chormale (vice-captain), Pranav Pant, Harvansh Singh Pangalia (wicketkeeper), Anurag Kavde (wicketkeeper), Hardik Raj, Mohammad Enan, KP Karthikeya, Samarth Nagraj, Yudhajith Guha, Chetan Sharma, Nikhil Kumar. Non-travelling reserves are Sahil Parkh, Naman Pushpak, Anmoljeet Singh, Pranav Raghavendra, and D Deepesh. The eight-day tournament promises intense competition and Amaan’s leadership will be crucial for India’s chances of victory.

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