India’s Dominant Victory in Fifth U-19 World Cup Title In 2022
India clinched their fifth U-19 World Cup title with a resounding victory over England. Seamers Raj Bawa and Ravi Kumar showcased exceptional skill, proving too hot to handle for the English batsmen in a match-winning bowling spectacle.
James Rew’s 95 in vain as Nishant Sindhu and Shaik Rasheed excel for India at bat
England 189 all out (Rew 95, Bawa 5-31, Ravi 3-34) lost to India 195 for 6 (Sindhu 50*, Rasheed 50, Boyden 2-24) by four wickets.
In the Under-19 World Cup final, it was India’s seamers, not their spinners, who engineered England’s downfall. Ravi Kumar and Raj Bawa bowled match-winning performances, sharing nine wickets and dismissing their opponents for 189. While Ravi finished with 4 for 34, Bawa’s 5 for 31 was the best bowling effort in a U-19 World Cup final.
India was consistently in the lead during the chase, even though they only won by four wickets. Bawa made a vital 35, Nishant Sindhu finished undefeated at 50, and Shaik Rasheed got a fifty. In addition, a wicketkeeper hit a six to clinch the victory, as is frequently the case with Indian teams in World Cup finals.
England’s bowling attack kept India from establishing large partnerships, but they were under very little pressure to reach the modest target of 190. Thanks to a heroic 95 from James Rew, who saved them from 91 for 7 when Tom Prest decided to bat at the toss, England managed to reach 189.
When Ravi found movement in the morning, perhaps helped by overnight rain in Antigua, England’s problems began early. In the second over, he had Jacob Bethell leg before wicket with a full delivery, and then he had Prest hack an attempted pull onto his stumps.
After hitting right-arm seamer Rajvardhan Hangargekar for a 16-run over in the semi-final match against Afghanistan, George Thomas, who had made a half-century earlier in the match, was dismissed for 27 off 30 when Bawa entered the field as the first substitute. Thomas attempted to mow one across the line when Bawa pitched the ball up, but he mishandled a skier to cover.
England’s rally was to be spearheaded by Rew and William Luxton, but they could only muster 16 balls combined before Bawa struck again in a row. With a somewhat wide delivery, he found extra bounce, and Luxton tried to chase it, but he was only able to edge it to the wicketkeeper Dinesh Bana.
Bawa welcomed George Bell with a short ball, and all he could do was glove it to Bana, who was attempting to block off the back foot. After Rehan Ahmed was caught at slip by Bawa and Alex Horton dragged offspinner Kaushal Tambe to midwicket, England quickly went from 45 for 5 to 91 for 7.
It was up to Rew, the final recognized batter, to pull England from what was looking like a sub-120 total to something approaching a competitive total. Together with James Sales, the No. 9 batsman, he scored 93 as the attacking partner, picking up the pace as England pushed closer to 200. Vicky Ostwal, the frugal left-arm spinner, was even worse than usual at 5.16 an over as Rew either drew or lofted him overhead. After England passed 180, a chase of 225–240 appeared likely.
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However, on 95, Rew mishandled a simple delivery from Ravi to a sliding, fumbling, juggling Tambe at deep midwicket, and three balls later, Thomas Aspinwall became Ravi’s fourth victim. On the other side, Bawa and Bana once more combined to secure Bawa’s five-wicket haul. England, all out for 189 in 44.5 overs, left 31 balls unused.
Josh Boyden, the left-arm swing bowler who has been in form, got the in-form Angkrish Raghuvanshi caught behind for a duck early in the chase, lifting England, but despite amassing dot balls, neither Boyden nor the other seamers could make any further inroads. It was a waiting game for England as they searched for the mistake, with Harnoor Singh and Rasheed content to wait. At 49 for 1, that was eventually achieved in the eighteenth over when Harnoor gloved a short ball from Aspinwall to the wicketkeeper.
This led to the meeting between Captain Yash Dhull and Vice-Captain Rasheed. They attempted to attack England’s spinners after they had displayed a double-century stand against Australia in the semi-final. Rasheed stood tall to smash cutters and drives through the off side, using his wrists to flick off his pads.
After Sales delivered a reckless heave, Rasheed reached fifty in the 27th over but fell short, caught on the leg side. Then, with the score at 97, the same bowler got rid of Dhull for 17, giving England a slight advantage as India lost their fourth wicket.
But Bawa and Sindhu launched a counteroffensive. While Sindhu went over midwicket and cover, Bawa smacked one four and two sixes. Before India could cross the boundary, two catches inside the ring removed Bawa and Tambe, and there were still enough runs for Sindhu to score his half-century.
After he reached fifty in fifty balls, Bana wasted no time in wrapping up the match. Deep square leg was covered by the first six. The second one was a long-on, and the camera panned in to see the Indian players celebrating even before it touched down.
Because of his overall effort, Bawa was chosen Player of the Match. With 506 runs, Dewald Brevis of South Africa won Player-of-the-Tournament. Dhull was one of the Indian captains who won the challenge, along with Prithvi Shaw, Unmukt Chand, Virat Kohli, and Mohammed Kaif.
Laxman Applauds Resilience, England’s Prest Proud of Team’s Effort
India’s Under-19 cricket team, led by Yash Dhull, showcased exceptional resilience and determination, overcoming a mid-tournament Covid-19 outbreak to secure a decisive four-wicket victory against England. The win marked India’s fifth triumph in the history of the tournament, drawing praise from cricket legends and fans alike.
VVS Laxman, former Indian cricket star and current head of the National Cricket Academy (NCA), lauded the team’s “resilience and positive attitude” in the face of adversity. He emphasized the exemplary nature of their performance, especially after several players, including Dhull, tested positive for Covid-19 during the group stages.
Dhull, expressing pride in the team’s achievement, highlighted the challenges they faced initially but credited their unity and supportive environment for their success. Coach Hrishikesh Kanitkar’s role in fostering team spirit and strategic leadership was also acknowledged.
Despite a spirited effort from England, led by captain Tom Prest and standout performer James Rew, India’s strong performance in both batting and bowling secured their victory. The intense competition and strategic play showcased the talent and determination of young cricketers on the global stage.
The success of India’s Under-19 team reflects the robust structure and opportunities provided by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) at various age levels. Laxman commended BCCI’s initiatives in organizing tournaments and nurturing young talent, noting the significance of this win, especially after disruptions caused by the pandemic.
The recognition and rewards following the victory, including the generous prize announced by BCCI secretary Jay Shah, underscore the significance of this achievement in Indian cricket. Former India captain Sourav Ganguly also praised the team’s skills under pressure, highlighting the widespread acclaim for their performance.
In conclusion, India’s Under-19 World Cup triumph not only celebrates sporting success but also exemplifies resilience, teamwork, and the nurturing of talent at the grassroots level, laying a strong foundation for the future of Indian cricket.
