Chigurupati Venkata, an 18-year-old all-rounder from Goa, has secured back-to-back India U-19 call-ups after overcoming early struggles in U-16 cricket. Initially facing inconsistency and self-imposed pressure, his career turned around when he shifted his mindset to simply enjoying the game rather than focusing on results. This mental shift led to standout domestic performances, including taking 49 wickets and scoring 380 runs across major tournaments, alongside representing the Goa senior team.
His international breakthrough came during the India U-19 tour of Sri Lanka, where a crucial five-wicket match performance in his second game solidified his place in the team. Beyond his on-field efforts, Venkata credits his supportive family for never pressuring him about results, as well as coach Robin D'Souza and the Goa Cricket Association for guiding his development and helping him focus on core strengths.
Looking ahead to the Australia U-19 series, Venkata remains focused on continuous learning, adapting to changing pitch conditions, and improving his bowling. While enjoying his current success, his long-term goal is to excel in red-ball cricket and represent India at the Test level.
