‘Tu bas six count karna aaj’ – Here’s how Dinesh Bana got into the U-19 World Cup team

India U19 wicketkeeper batter Dinesh Bana had hit 14 sixes in front of the junior selection committee, which was supposed to choose the squad for the U19 World Cup 2022. Bana rose to fame after hitting two back-to-back sixes against England to seal the U19 World Cup Trophy for his team. Batting first, the Tom Prest-led side were tottering at 91/7 at one stage.

James Rew (95) and James Sales (34*) stitched a partnership of 93 runs before Rew was caught on the boundary by a tumbling Kaushal Tambe. Rew’s wicket meant the team could not get past the 200-run mark, which was the case for every team who played against the Men In Blue. All-rounder Raj Bawa took five wickets while left-arm pacer Ravi Kumar took four and Tambe took one.

In reply, the Yash Dhull-led side lost the wicket of Angkrish Raghuvanshi on the second ball of the innings. Harnoor Singh (21) and vice-captain Shaik Rasheed stitched a partnership of 49 runs before Singh got out to Thomas Aspinwall. Rasheed then joined hands with Dhull and both added 46 runs. Meanwhile, Rasheed scored his second consecutive half-century.

The fifth-wicket partnership of 67 runs between Nishant Sandhu (50*) and Raj Bawa (35) made sure the team goes over the line with ease.

Meanwhile, Wicketkeeper batter Dinesh Bana was not the first choice player when the squad for World Cup was being selected. He got the opportunity to showcase his talent in the India B v India F game in the Challenger Trophy last year. In that game, his friend Nishant Sindhu had told him “Aaj Selectors aane waale hain (The selectors are going to come today)” according to a popular belief. The right-hander responded “Tu bas six count karna aaj mere (Just count the number of sixes I hit today).” The wicketkeeper batter amassed 170 runs with 10 fours and 14 sixes.

Dinesh Bana was never the first choice keeper. During the India B vs India F in the Challengers Trophy, his friend Nishant Sindhu told him ‘aaj selectors aane waale hai. Bana replied, “Tu bas six count karna aaj mere.” Bana smashed a 98-ball 170, including 10 fours and 14 sixes.

— Pratyush Raj (@pratyush93_raj) February 5, 2022