Udhav Mohan was keen on bowling quick from young age: Coach Raj Kumar Sharma

New Delhi: Udhav Mohan isn't your tall, strong fast bowler who can intimidate the batsmen with his presence. But the 19-year-old who has been picked in India's under-19 squad for the Youth Cricket World Cup next year can work up pace, deliver according to different formats.

"The boy has brilliant work ethic. He is very hard-working. He has been with me for 10-12 years, since he was eight. He is a very hard-working boy," says coach Raj Kumar Sharma of the West Delhi Cricket Academy, the same place that has given Indian cricket Virat Kohli.

"He looks like he is not fast. But he is quick. Bowls 130-135 plus. That (being deceptive) is the best thing. He was fond of playing, which is why he came to us. We saw potential in him. We knew he would do well."

Mohan doesn't have any cricketing background and hails from a very humble background. But watching his father play tennis ball cricket encouraged him to take up cricket.

"I began playing after watching my father. I was not interested in playing cricket initially but then I developed interest gradually. I am here due to hard work. He used to play tennis ball cricket," Mohan had told https://www.youtube.com/@thedelhijunction during an interview at the time of Delhi Premier League (DPL).

"I have learnt the sport under RK sir (Raj Kumar Sharma)." He also thanked Vijay Dahiya, Director of Cricket at Puraani Dilli 6, for helping him during the DPL.

Coach Sharma says that performance in the All India Public Sector Cricket Tournament in 2024 basted scads of confidence o him.

"He was keen on bowling quick. After seeing his physique, you wouldn't know he would bowl that fast. But he used to bowl fast. He worked hard, developed himself. Good to see him go up there. I made him play for PMG. Then made him play for Bank of Baroda. At the Public Sector tournament last year in Jaipur, he would pick wickets in the first 2-3 overs only, including of Test players. I knew he was different."

The right-armer will be on show for PMG in the DDCA League this year. He impressed in the one Youth Test he got to play for India under-19s against Australia in Mackay, picking four top-order wickets, two in each innings.

"He is very disciplined, very hard-working. I try to get feedback of my players and also those from Delhi whenever anyone is picked by National Cricket Academy (NCA). The feedback I got was very good. He was praised and highly recommended."

Sharma calls him 'very intelligent'.

"He knows the deliveries to bowl in different formats. His stock ball is one at hard-length in one-day cricket. In multi-day games, he bowls inswing and outswing. He surprises batsmen with his pace, and makes the ball carry."

Tags : Udhav Mohan, India under-19, Raj Kumar Sharma, Virat Kohli, West Delhi Cricket Academy, DPL