5 players you might not know played with Virat Kohli in the Under 19 World Cup

The Under-19 World Cup is considered to be a stepping stone to international cricket. A lot of young U19 cricketers have gone on to play for their national sides. India, in particular, has produced some of the best U19 players who became mainstays of the national team later on. One of these superstars is Virat Kohli. Kohli led the India U19 team that won the U19 World Cup held in Malaysia in 2008.

The Indian team that remained unbeaten throughout the tournament clinched the title, defeating the Wayne Parnell-led South Africa U19 side by 12 runs (D/L method). Kohli hasn't looked back since then. He made his ODI debut later that year and gradually cemented a place in the Indian side.

After MS Dhoni gave up his captaincy, Kohli took up the mantle, and he has helped the Indian team reach new heights.

However, there were other names in that cup winning campaign who have either faded away from people's memory, or have gone onto play for the national team and in IPL. In this article, we look at five players you might not know played with Virat Kohli in the Under 19 World Cup.

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#5 Shreevats Goswami

Goswami scored some vital runs at the top of the order in U19 WC 2008

Shreevats Goswami was the wicket-keeper of the victorious Indian U19 team of 2008. He opened the innings for the side and played steadily providing a solid start to the team. After the World Cup, Goswami was bought by Royal Challengers Bangalore, and after some impressive performances, he was named the Emerging player of the tournament.

The left-hand batsman has been a regular in the West Bengal side over the years and was recently part of Bengal's Ranji Trophy campaign where they lost the final to Suarashtra.

Goswami was also part of the runners-up campaign for Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2018, but did not play any matches for them.

#4 Saurabh Tiwary

Tiwary has played 3 ODIs for India

Saurabh Tiwary batted in the lower-order in the U19 World Cup and was given the responsibility of being a finisher. Post World Cup, Tiwary played for his state Jharkhand and soon earned a name for himself in the domestic circuit by playing some belligerent knocks. However, his moment of glory came in IPL 2010 when he played for Mumbai Indians.

The southpaw made 419 runs in the tournament and was seen as the find of the season. Owing to his good IPL display, he was selected for the Indian ODI side later that year. However, he failed to grab the opportunity and was dropped from the team after a couple of poor outings.

#3 Siddharth Kaul

Kaul has been selected in India's limited-overs sides for the tour of England

Siddharth Kaul contributed heavily in India's title victory in the U19 World Cup 2008. In the final against South Africa, Kaul took two vital wickets, helping India cross the line. Over the years, Siddharth Kaul has been a key performer for his state team, Punjab.

However, he got noticed after his exploits in the IPL while playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad. Kaul joined SRH in 2016 and has been a consistent performer for the franchise.

#2 Manish Pandey

Pandey celebrating his maiden century against Australia

Back in 2008, Manish Pandey was considered to be one of the most promising talents in the country. After being part of the victorious U19 World Cup team, Pandey played for Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL 2009.

Playing for RCB, he became the first Indian to hit a century in the IPL. Pandey was then picked by Kolkata Knight Riders in the year 2014. Strong performances in the IPL and domestic circuit paved the way for Pandey's selection in the national side.

Mostly being in and out of the national set up, India's recent middle order conundrum and slotted him in; and Pandey has shown promises of making the lower middle order spot his own.

#1 Ravindra Jadeja

Jadeja and Kohli celebrating after India's win in the final

Perhaps the second most successful player from India's victorious U19 squad of 2008 is Ravindra Jadeja. Kohli's deputy in the side, Jedeja was a crucial member of the team and delivered when the team needed.

Jadeja became a star after IPL 2008, where he played for the Rajasthan Royals. He made his international debut in 2009 and has played 34 Tests, 136 ODIs and 40 T20s for the Indian team.

Jadeja earned a name for himself in international cricket because of his steady left-arm spin bowling and outstanding fielding abilities. He has been an integral part of the Chennai Super King's lineup since he has joined the franchise.

In more recent times, Jadeja made a comeback into the Test side and has been playing relatively well.