Dravid and Sehwag's sons in contention for India-Pakistan Under-19 clash

Sons of Dravid and Sehwag could face Pakistan in Asia Cup

The sons of two Indian cricket legends could soon carry their famous surnames into battle against Pakistan at youth level, with Aaryavir Sehwag and Anvay Dravid both reportedly in contention for selection in the upcoming Under-19 Asia Cup.

The eight-team tournament will be held in Oman from November 5 to 14, with all matches taking place at the Oman Cricket Academy Grounds in Al Amerat, Muscat. The 50-over format competition will see India and Pakistan meet in the group stage on November 8, though India's squad has not yet been announced.

Virender Sehwag and Rahul Dravid formed one of Indian cricket's most iconic partnerships, playing together for more than a decade despite their contrasting styles. Sehwag, who holds the highest career strike rate in Test matches among batsmen with minimum 3,000 runs at 82.23 and the Indian record for most Test double-hundreds, was renowned for his aggressive approach. Dravid, who remains the only batsman to score more than 10,000 runs at the number three position, earned the nickname 'The Wall' for his defensive technique and patience.

During their careers from 1999 to 2012, Sehwag played 104 Tests scoring 8,586 runs at an average of 49.34 with 23 centuries, while Dravid played 164 Tests accumulating 13,288 runs at 52.31 with 36 centuries.

Young talents making their mark

Both youngsters have already represented India at Under-19 level and possess credentials beyond their surnames. Aaryavir, an opening batsman like his father, made headlines in 2024 when he scored a remarkable 297 against Meghalaya in the Cooch Behar Trophy, India's prestigious national four-day tournament for under-19 players run by the BCCI since 1945.

Anvay, Rahul Dravid's younger son, is a wicketkeeper-batsman who demonstrated his ability with an impressive 87 against Sri Lanka Under-19 earlier this year. Both players were recently part of India's youth ODI series against Australia.

Tournament structure and context

The competition features two groups of four teams, with India, Pakistan, UAE and Nepal comprising Group A. Group B includes Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Malaysia. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals scheduled for November 12.

The fixture carries additional significance given recent history between the sides. In the 2025 edition held in Dubai, India initially defeated Pakistan by 90 runs in the group stage on December 14, with India posting 240 before restricting Pakistan to 150. However, Pakistan claimed revenge in spectacular fashion in the final on December 21, thrashing India by 191 runs after posting 347, with India bowled out for just 156.

Legacy and expectations

The potential selection of both youngsters carries particular resonance given Rahul Dravid's deep connection to youth cricket development. During his tenure as India's Under-19 coach from 2015 to 2021, he guided the team to two World Cup finals, winning the 2018 tournament against Australia and finishing runners-up to West Indies in 2016. More recently, Dravid coached India's senior team from November 2021 to June 2024, culminating in the country's first global title in 11 years with victory in the T20 World Cup in June 2024.

For Indian cricket supporters who watched Sehwag and Dravid forge countless partnerships at the crease, the prospect of their sons playing together against Pakistan represents a compelling narrative. However, both Aaryavir and Anvay must first earn their places in India's squad on merit before any such contest can materialize.