WATCH: Arshin Kulkarni touches feet of his idol Jacques Kallis ahead of U19 World Cup

With the 2024 U-19 World Cup all set to commence on Friday (January 20) in South Africa, a fresh crop of young talents will aim to continue the legacy of Indian cricketers. The five-time World Cup Champions, India will look to win their sixth title as they also enter the tournament as defending champions. Among the players generating significant buzz in cricket circles is the star all-rounder Arshin Kulkarani.

The young India all-rounder had the opportunity to meet his idol, former South African player Jacques Kallis. During their interaction, the young cricketer sought Kallis’s blessings by touching his feet. Kulkarni earned recognition for his notable performance in MPL 2023, leading to his selection for the U-19 World Cup 2024. Scheduled from January 2024 to February 2024, the 15th edition of the U19 World Cup will be hosted in South Africa.

Kulkarni has already been established as a standout all-rounder in his age group and received the call for the prestigious tournament. During the camp, the 18-year-old seized the opportunity to meet and interact with his childhood idol, Jacques Kallis, celebrated as one of the greatest all-rounders in cricket history. A heartwarming video capturing their interaction, where the Indian youngster touched Kallis’ feet, has gone viral on social media. Later, the former Protean legend shook hands with Kulkarni, garnering likes and comments from numerous cricket fans.

Watch the viral video of Indian youngster;

Arshin Kulkarni will be representing Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2024

When it comes to Kulkarni’s career, the cricketer hailing from Solapur is acknowledged as one of the premier all-rounders in his age group and is being hailed as a future star. Lucknow Super Giants secured his services for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season with a purchase of INR 20 lakh.

Meanwhile, Kallis recently shared his insights on the return of Indian stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to the T20I format. He conveyed his belief that there needs to be a balance between the two, contingent on the approach to the tournament and game plans. He emphasized the crucial role of experience. Reflecting on the recently concluded multi-format series between South Africa and India, he observed that It was a challenging series between two excellent teams, and they put forth their best efforts.