ICC U-19 World Cup provides a youngster the confidence to compete against the best: Virender Sehwag

India opener Virender Sehwag believes that the ICC U-19 World Cup provides a youngster the confidence that he can compete against the best and hoped a few cricketers will graduate from this month's event in Australia to the senior squad for the World Cup in 2015, says a report in Deccan Chronicle.

"I think whoever plays well in the ICC U19 CWC 2012 and keeps performing well in first-class cricket could also end up traveling to Australia for the ICC CWC 2015. I'm hoping a couple of guys will come through, especially for India," said Sehwag, in an ICC media release.

"The players have a great opportunity to go out there, play with and against the best and perform well. They will be motivated and will get a lot of self-confidence. The players will also make a lot of friends for life during the tournament," he said.

Sehwag, India's only triple centurion in Test cricket, urged the young players to give it their best shot when they participate in the event, which will be staged from August 11-26 in Queensland, says a report in Mail Today.

'Go there and give your best, just make the most of the opportunity. Try to win the World Cup for your country.'

On being asked what advice he would give to the youngsters participating in the event, Sehwag said: 'It doesn't matter if it is U-19 or the emerging team, if you perform at that level you get the confidence that you can actually play and compete against international teams.

'Mohammad Kaif won it in 2000 and Virat Kohli lifted the trophy in 2008. Maybe, this time, the India captain (Unmukt Chand) can lift the Cup again and make us proud. Every single player from the current India team is wishing the very best of luck to the India team in the U-19 CWC 2012,' said Sehwag, 33, who has scored 8,178 Test and 8,204 ODI runs, played in the 1998 under-19 World Cup in South Africa.