Close to identifying core team for WC: India U-19 coach Rahul Dravid

India beat Bangladesh in Kolkata to win the U-19 tri-series trophy.

Kolkata: India Under-19 coach and batting legend Rahul Dravid on Sunday said he was close to identifying the team for the upcoming World Cup in Bangladesh next year.

Earlier in the day, India U-19’s put on an impressive performance here to beat Bangladesh by seven wickets in a tri-series final and remained unbeaten throughout the tournament which also featured Afghanistan.

“This was a good tournament as we start preparing for the World Cup in January. Some of the boys have put in strong performances and we are close to identifying the core team for the World Cup,” Dravid told media persons here.

The former India captain also said there were a lot of decisive factors in the team which can help them in the long run.

"There are plenty of X factors in the team now. Rishabh Pant and Sarfaraz Khan are just two of them,” he said.

Dravid also stressed on the fact that the India Under-19’s need to play a lot more bilateral series to enhance their talent.

“One World Cup in two years is great. But there needs to but we need to play a lot more bilateral series,” he concluded.