The champions of Asia will be up against tougher opposition this month in the Costcutter World Challenge. Although the name of the tournament belies the fact that the tournament is indeed an Under-15 World Cup, no quarter will be given and none asked for. Having beaten every side conclusively in the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Under-15 tournament in Malaysia earlier this month in comprehensive fashion, the Indians must favour their chances.

Going with the motto 'never change a winning combination', the Indians have named an unchanged side for the Costcutter World Challenge. Only Nikhil Choudhury who sustained a knee injury is a doubtful starter and Tamil Nadu southpaw Vasu Devdas has been named as a standby. Devdas has been in the list of probables more than once and this could be his first break. The authorities have also decided to continue with coach Roger Binny and manager Professor Ratnakar Shetty.

The Indian team defeated Pakistan at Lord's in a match attended by almost ten thousand people in 1996 to bring home the Lombard Challenge Under-15 Cup. As holders, they will go to England this time around with the confidence of having recently beaten arch rivals Pakistan, not once, but twice in Malaysia. There are three names in the squad that played the Lombard Challenge Under-15 Cup that are making waves at the highest level right now.

The first, a confident sardar who rattled the Pakistani batting in the final with returns of 3/34 bowling medium pacers. The same lad smashed an unbeaten 82 and took India to a memorable victory. That young man is Reetinder Singh Sodhi, who is now knocking on the doors of national selection as a utility player in the One Dayers. Mohammed Kaif, who has already played Test cricket for India made 166 runs from four innings in the matches leading up to the final in 1996. Another player who now opens the batting for Punjab in the Ranji Trophy, Ravneet Ricky too, was part of the triumphant Indian team.

All these are indications to Mrigen Talukdar, Ambati Tirupati Rayudu, Palash Jothi Das, Abhinav Kumar and the other Indian members of the team that the Under-15 World Cup could be a stepping stone to greater things. Having scored heavily in Malaysia, Rayudu will be especially keen to do well in England and catch the eye of selectors back home. After returning from Malaysia, Binny said of him, "He plays his cricket hard. When he's out in the middle, he doesn't mess around. Going for his strokes from the beginning, he consistently hits the ball hard"

India have always done well at age group cricket. In the Costcutter World Challenge, India finds itself in the company of England, Holland and West Indies in Group 'A'. Although the West Indies are likely to have some exciting young talent, it is England who India will be more worried about. They have a distinct advantage in playing at home. The conditions the Indians are used to playing in are far removed from what will greet them in England. The uninhibited strokeplay that has taken them far on the flat pitches of the sub continent will not pay as rich dividends with the ball seaming and swinging around. The Indians will have to adapt their style of play if they are to pose a serious challenge. However, as Binny says "the Under-15 cricketers of this generation are far more mature cricketers than we were at their age. The key difference is exposure."

In Group 'B', South Africa, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe will fight for places in the semi finals. Binny has said before that "Sri Lanka have a very strong junior programme. Schools cricket is very strong there, and they have some very good development programmes as well. Pakistan has always been a good side." Whoever makes the semi finals, one thing is clear. For a group of Under-15 cricketers, the joy of playing the final at Lord's on August 10 should be incentive enough. After all, not every one gets to wield a willow or deliver a ball at the Mecca of Cricket.