London, June 25: India 'A' commence their 6-week- long cricket tour of England with a one-day match against British universities at Durham today, rekindling fond memories of this day two decades ago when India registered their only World Cup title triumph at the Lord's. "On June 25, twenty years back we won the World Cup. It brings back great memories when we open the tour," India 'A' coach Sandeep Patil, who was a member of the victorious Indian World Cup team in 1983, told here.
The team will play in eleven matches but the most eagerly looked forward is the one against the touring South Africans at Arundel, a three-day game starting on July 19.
Stating that it was a golden chance for the talented youngsters to prove their mettle, as the selectors are looking to build a team for the next World Cup, Patil indicated that those who do well on the tour have a very good chance of making it to the national team.
"It is up to these players to grab these opportunities," he said.
Barring medium pacer Avishkar Salvi, who had split his web earlier, all are fully fit.
"Even Salvi is also fit to play the first match, but we will take a decision on the day of the match," the coach said.
Stating that the team's "prospects on the tour are good", Samiran Chakraborty, team manager termed it a balanced side.
"The boys are fully motivated and raring to go," Chakraborty said. Bureau Report