Dravid was called up to the Indian U-19 squad

Samit Dravid, a promising fast-bowling all-rounder, has made a significant leap in his young cricketing career with his first call-up to the Indian U-19 squad for the upcoming developmental series against Australia.

The son of legendary Indian cricketer Rahul Dravid, Samit has been making waves in domestic and youth cricket over the past year. He is also part of the Mysore Warriors team, which recently reached the final of Karnataka's Maharaja Trophy tournament.

Speaking to Star Sports Kannada, the 18-year-old expressed his excitement, saying, "First of all, I’m very happy to be selected, and thank you for all your wishes. I am feeling great, I’ve worked very hard for this moment."

Samit's selection comes on the heels of the BCCI's announcement of the squads for both the ODI and four-day matches against Australia, with Dravid included in both teams. Mohamed Amaan of Uttar Pradesh will captain the limited-overs squad, while Soham Patwardhan of Madhya Pradesh will lead the red-ball team.

Following in his father’s illustrious footsteps, Samit has already made a name for himself in Karnataka's domestic circuit, particularly with his performances in the U-19 Cooch Behar Trophy. Like his father, Samit has shown a strong affinity for the red-ball format, contributing significantly to Karnataka’s triumph earlier this year with 16 wickets and 382 runs in the tournament.

Samit has impressed many with his playing style and technique, drawing comparisons to his father Rahul Dravid, who is regarded as one of the most technically proficient and reliable batters in cricket history. In addition to his batting skills, Samit has also demonstrated impressive pace and aggression in his fast bowling.

Though the expectations are high and the pressure of carrying the Dravid name is undeniable, Indian fans are hopeful that Samit can develop into the fast-bowling all-rounder that every team desires. While there is still a long way to go, Samit has shown that he has the potential to carry forward the Dravid legacy in world cricket.

The series against Australia kicks off with three one-day matches in Puducherry starting on September 21, followed by two four-day matches in Chennai.