Mandeep thrives on pressure

India's batting maestro Mandeep Singh has always been in the runs - although sometimes it's been a different kind of running.

Mandeep credits his father, who is a Punjab sports officer and is trained in athletics, for helping develop attributes that he has transferred to the cricketing arena.

"When I was a kid my father used to take my brother and me running, long distance,"he said. "I think long distance training helps build patience and mental toughness which is helpful for my batting."

And if the long runs weren't enough to build mental stamina, Mandeep also had to contend with his big brother's pace bowling in the backyard.

"As soon as I was able to walk I had a cricket bat in my hand and my brother would bowl fast and when I got out to him I would crack him with the bat. I was very angry when I got out and I would throw the wicket at him too. I don't get angry now though ? I am very cool."

Mandeep, a right-handed top order batsman, has been happy with his form at the 2010 U19 CWC, averaging 45 and with a top score of 51 not out. But there's a bit of pressure on Mandeep's shoulders, after twice winning the BCCI's Best Junior Cricketer of the Year award.

Still, he brushes off any suggestion that the high expectations are to tough to live up to. "Not pressure no, it really motivates me a lot to play well for the team and it motivates me that I am good at it and it really gets me going."

Mandeep said his cricketing idol is Sachin Tendulkar, and he has a great memory of watching the master batsman in action against Australia at Sharjah in 1998-99. Interestingly, though, another cricketing hero is New Zealand's Shane Bond.

"Shane Bond is my favourite bowler ? he's really good. I used to bowl with his action, but now I bowl off spin." he grins.