World IBSF Snooker Champion Pankaj Advani would lead the Indian challenge in the Under-21 World Snooker Championship to be held at Carlo, Ireland from July 27-Aug 5.

The other members of the team are Sourav Kothari of Kolkata and Aditya Mehta of Mumbai, Billiards and Snooker Federation of India Vice President Ravi Tandon in New Delhi on Tuesday.

Former World Billiards Champion Manoj Kothari would be the coach of the three member team while Tandon will be the Manager-cum-delegate.

Tandon said Kothari and Mehta were undergoing training at Bangkok, Thailand under the aegis of Asian Confederation of Billiards Sports and Olympic Council of Asia.

The Indian contingent is considered to be a strong contender for the title with Advani in fine form at present.

The 19-year-old Bangalore-based cuiest recently reached the final of the Asian Snooker Championship in Aqaba, Jordan where he was beaten by compatriot and national champion Alok Kumar.

Over 40 countries would send two players each for the event but India would field three players since Advani gets a direct entry by virtue of being the World Champion.