Focus is always to win for my team: Shaik Rasheed

Shaik Rasheed returned to his room in Antigua around 9.20 am IST, the feeling was yet to sink in. Still, the ICC U-19 World champion's medal is a testimony to the 17-year-old Guntur's lad's rising stock in Indian cricket. More so after his stellar role in the four-wicket win over England in North Sound on Saturday night. The Indian vice-captain, who scored 50 in the final, said the joy of winning the World Cup cannot be described in words. "Winning the World Cup U-19 title is memorable as it has made my parents proud. They have sacrificed a lot in their lives to see me in this position. I will never let them down," Rasheed told TOI just before he called it a night.

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Despite little age-group cricket in India for the past two seasons due to Covid-19, the India under-19 team notched up a nine-game unbeaten run, clinching two back-to-back tournaments. The way this bunch conquered an outbreak of Covid-19, forcing India to barely find 11 fit players for the games

Rasheed was one of the five Indian cricketers who had to miss the initial part of the World Cup as they were down with Covid. It was a dampener, he said. "All five of us had to quarantine and it was a strange experience being locked up in our rooms with nothing to do. Thanks to Laxman sir, we could recover quickly. He used to make video calls to all of us to boost our spirits and confidence. He told us to focus on the tournament and not be bogged down by the virus," Rasheed said. Once back in the team, Rasheed made it count with a 94 in the semis against Australia. Though unfortunate to miss a century, Rasheed added 204 for the third wicket with skipper Yash Dhull