Teenaged cricketer Mohit Alva has been added to the Saurashtra squad for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy following his stellar performance in the Under-19 Asia Cup final against Pakistan.
The 18-year-old player secured a victory for India at Muscat, Oman, by scoring 49 runs off just 26 balls, according to Yahoo Sports.
Saurashtra Cricket Association president Jaydev Shah praised the young athlete for his composure during the high-stakes match.
“It was a gritty, magical knock,” Shah told the Times of India.
“We have added Mohit to our SMAT squad,” he added.
India appeared to be in a difficult position while chasing 338, as the team was struggling at 252 for eight when Alva arrived at the crease at the No. 10 slot.
Alva utilized a strike rate exceeding 188 to build critical partnerships with teammates Manal Chauhan and Chigupati Venkata.
With three runs required off the final delivery, Alva hit a four over the extra-cover region to finalize the win.
While his batting performance was decisive, the fast bowler faced challenges earlier in the match, conceding 0 for 57 over eight overs.
Alva, who hails from a humble family in Rajkot, is expected to be available for selection for the team’s upcoming match against Haryana on Nov 16.
Saurashtra recently began their tournament campaign with a five-wicket victory over Bihar in a Group B matchup.
The team is currently led by captain Jaydev Unadkat, while the Bihar side was managed by Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
The inclusion of Alva is viewed as a significant boost for the Saurashtra squad as they continue their progression through the tournament.
Cricket analysts noted that the teenager’s ability to maintain focus under pressure during the Asia Cup final demonstrated maturity beyond his years.
The young cricketer will now look to translate his international success into domestic performance during the remainder of the season.
Officials confirmed that the transition to the SMAT squad has been finalized following his return from Oman.