India's U-19 Asia Cup-winning left-arm spinner Atharva Ankolekar, who emerged as the highest wicket-taker with 12 scalps including a fifer in the summit clash against Bangladesh in Colombo, was yesterday rewarded with a spot in the senior Mumbai team for the first time. The teenager was picked by the Milind Rege-led senior selection committee for the Vijay Hazare Trophy. India player Shreyas Iyer will lead defending champions Mumbai's challenge. Suryakumar Yadav will be his deputy in the 50-over tournament to be played in Bangalore from September 24.

No rest after Colombo

After arriving from Sri Lanka on Sunday, Atharva has been giving a good account of himself while bowling to the Mumbai senior team at the Mumbai Cricket Association's Bandra Kurla Complex indoor academy. "We have to look for boys who have that fire in their belly. When a cricketer plays for India in age-group tournament, we have to look at them differently because they have became international cricketers now. He [Atharva] is a good cricketer and has done well. I have seen him. He is a good batsman and a brilliant fielder too. Such players, who are playing for India, have to be given more scope. Here's hoping he will seize this opportunity," Rege told mid-day yesterday.