Rajasthan cricketers selected for India Under-19 team tour
Source:the-times-of-india ↗
Why It Matters
RPSC RAS Prelims frequently features questions on sports personalities from Rajasthan, their national/international representations, achievements, and associated sports trophies.
Summary
Two talented cricketers from Rajasthan, Kushagra Ojha and Rajat Baghel, have been selected to represent India's Under-19 cricket team in the upcoming series against Australia. Left-handed all-rounder and Rajasthan U-19 captain Kushagra Ojha has been named in both the one-day and multi-day squads, while wicketkeeper-batsman Rajat Baghel has been selected for the one-day team. Their selection follows outstanding performances in BCCI domestic age-group tournaments, such as the Vinoo Mankad Trophy and Cooch Behar Trophy.
Key Points
- Rajasthan's junior cricket talents, Kushagra Ojha and Rajat Baghel, have been selected for the India Under-19 cricket team for the upcoming series against Australia.
- Kushagra Ojha, a left-handed ('southpaw') all-rounder and skipper of the Rajasthan U-19 team, was selected for both the multi-day and one-day squads.
- Rajat Baghel, an active wicketkeeper-batter from the Rajasthan junior team, was selected in the India Under-19 one-day squad.
- Kushagra Ojha's strong domestic records include 308 runs in the Vinoo Mankad Trophy (including 1 hundred and 2 half-centuries) and 565 runs in the Cooch Behar Trophy (including 2 tons and 4 half-centuries).
- Ojha has already represented the national Under-19 team previously, scoring a Test century (111 runs) and a 92-run knock in a one-day match against Sri Lanka.
Prelims Trap
Kushagra Ojha won the 33rd Mathuradas Mathur Award in the Senior category, while Ashok Sharma won in the Junior category.
Kushagra Ojha was awarded in the Junior category. Ashok Sharma won the Senior category, and Shifan Khan won the Sub-Junior category.
Static Concepts Connected
What is the significance of the Mathuradas Mathur Award in Rajasthan cricket?
- Establishment & Scope: Instituted by Rajasthan Blues Club to honor the state's best cricketers annually across Senior, Junior, and Sub-Junior categories.
- Key Record-holders: Only four cricketers—Pankaj Singh, Aniket Choudhary, Ashok Menaria, and Mahipal Lomror—have won the prestigious Senior category award twice.
- Mathuradas Mathur: Named in honor of the veteran Congress leader, freedom fighter, and former Rajasthan minister who actively promoted sports in the state.
Cross-Topic Patterns
District sports infrastructure expansion
Emergence of elite national talents from non-metropolitan districts like Dholpur and Bhilwara reflects decentralization of cricket academies and training facilities under state youth sports initiatives.
Rajasthan sports incentives policy
National junior selection aligns with Rajasthan's sports incentives policy, which provides cash rewards and public employment opportunities to sportspersons excelling in national representation.
Expect questions matching 33rd Mathuradas Mathur Award winners (Ashok Sharma, Kushagra Ojha, Shifan Khan) with their playing categories.
Linked PYQs · 2
Linked PYQs · 2
- 2016RPSC_PRELIMSGS1
The newly elected Chairman of the Rajasthan Olympic Association is:
- 2024RPSC_PRELIMSGS1
How many bronze medals did Rajasthan win in 9th National Senior Athletics Championship 2023?
