Know more about RS Ambrish, India U-19 all-rounder

Who is RS Ambrish? Meet India U-19’s rising all-rounder who starred with 4/29 versus New Zealand in the U-19 World Cup.

For any nation blessed with cricketing talent, medium-pace all-rounders often emerge as some of the most valuable players. Their ability to contribute effectively in both batting and bowling makes them vital assets to the team. Coming in lower down the batting order, they can add vital runs in crunch situations and reliably provide seven to eight overs in a 50-over fixture.

India’s U-19 all-rounder, RS Ambrish, is one such player. His performance in the final group-stage match against New Zealand at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo reflected his ability to pick up wickets with the new ball.

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Ambrish puts fitness first to chase Father’s dream
R Sukumar, Ambrish’s father, was a promising all-rounder who captained Tamil Nadu at the age-group levels and scored big at the University level. Due to the offer of job security, Sukumar moved to the Railways, where he went on to become a consistent performer for the cricket team. However, he did not get many opportunities, as the side already featured established players like Sanjay Bangar and JP Yadav. Therefore, Sukumar spent most of his time warming the benches.

These days, he coaches the cricket team at Integral Coach Factory, which manufactures the Vande Bharat Trains. His constant message to his son is simple: to dream of wearing the state cap and beyond.

“I definitely want him to do what I couldn’t achieve. You can say he is living my dream because I couldn’t go beyond a certain level. I probably lacked consistency. I’ve experienced how intense the competition is. It is unforgiving. I wasn’t prepared for it. Now the competition is a lot more, and the opportunities are also more,” Sukumar told the ‘Indian Express.’

Ambrish places strong emphasis on fitness to sustain his growth ahead of the ICC Men’s U-19 World Cup in Zimbabwe and Namibia. Earlier in 2025, he was part of Tamil Nadu’s Cooch Behar Trophy-winning squad. In the semifinals and final, the left-handed batter made vital contributions with the bat.

Following those two games, Ambrish was picked up for the India U-19 tours to England and Australia. He even made his Ranji Trophy debut earlier last year against Jharkhand at Coimbatore and featured in another game against Nagaland. In the United Kingdom, the 18-year-old was the joint leading wicket-taker of the youth 50-over games with eight wickets in five innings.

Ambris also notched up 110 runs in four innings of the Youth ODIs, thanks to his lone half-century. He also scored two half-centuries in both the Youth Tests of the trip in Beckenham and Chelmsford.

“The tours to England and Australia gave me a lot of confidence. In terms of batting, I have improved at playing according to the situation. In bowling, I think my consistency has gotten better,” Ambrish spoke in a chat with Sportstar ahead of the U-19 World Cup 2026.

He missed the Asia Cup 2025 due to a side strain he suffered during the U-19 Challengers. However, he recovered quickly and shifted his entire focus to the World Cup.

“Considering I have to deliver for the team with bat and ball, I am working hard on my fitness with a focus on strength and conditioning. It is challenging at times, but I have confidence in myself and feel I am ready,” Ambrish remarked in the same interaction.

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Ambrish breathes fire against NZ in U-19 World Cup 2026
Ambrish began his spell against New Zealand by consistently hitting the right line and length before drawing first blood. He pitched up the new ball and held the line outside the off-stump against Hugo Bogue. With the delivery too close to the sticks for a cut shot, Bogue paid the price, edging thinly to the wicketkeeper.

After a wicket-maiden over, Ambrish struck again by sending back Tom Jones. The ball was not full enough for the drive, and Jones failed to time his shot, mistiming it low off the bat as it lobbed towards mid-off, where India captain Ayush Mhatre took a fine catch.

Ambrish finished with impressive figures of 4/29 in his eight overs as the undefeated Blue Brigade bundled out the Blackcaps for just 135. The Tamil Nadu pacer later spoke about how he planned his spell with the new ball.

“I just went with the hard length and on top of off-stump – the pitch did get better as the innings went on, the ball went soft as well. The preparations were good, the first two games, I was pretty soft,” the right-arm pacer explained during the mid-innings break.

It is important for Ambrish to continue his good work at the U-19 level. However, to progress to senior cricket, he must do everything possible to become part of the Tamil Nadu domestic set-up. Once he establishes himself as a regular and features in the state’s franchise tournament, the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL), he will gain valuable experience in handling pressure.

From there, his focus will naturally shift towards the national side. For that, he must continue prioritising fitness, especially to remain effective during long spells. His next challenge will be India’s opening match of the Super Six stage at the U-19 World Cup 2026. The encounter against Zimbabwe is scheduled for January 27 at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.

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