INDIA’S DOMINANT run at the Under-19 World Cup culminated in a record-extending fifth title on Sunday. The latest triumph, however, will stand apart due to the tenacity shown in the face of unprecedented challenges off the field. The pandemic rocked the run-up and threatened the campaign itself — at one point, the team was reduced to ten fit players.
However, just like their seniors at Australia’s gabby in January 2021, the juniors remained defiant till the end, prevailing over England by four wickets in the final at Antigua. But then, a glimpse of the life stories of these cricketers show why they were never rattled — from a player who lost his father to Covid to several others who overcame extreme odds to reach the pinnacle of junior cricket.
India DOMINANT run at the Under-19 World Cup culminated in a record-extending fifth title on Sunday. The latest triumph, however, will stand apart due to the tenacity shown in the face of unprecedented challenges off the field. The pandemic rocked the run-up and threatened the campaign itself — at one point, the team was reduced to ten fit.
Ravi Kumar gave India a flying start in the ICC U19 World Cup final against England on Saturday as he bagged two wickets in a fiery opening spell. Ravi struck in the very first over of his spell as he removed Jacob Bothell for lbw for an individual score of 2 runs. In his very next over, Ravi sent England captain Tom Press back to the pavilion for a duck after castling him. The young Indian pacer generated some movement at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in North Sound, Antigua, as the English top-order struggled to deal with him. Ravi had impressive figures of 3-1-11-2 from his opening spell. He eventually finished with figures of 4/34 as India bowled England out for 189, with Raj Bawd bagging a five-wicket haul.
England's James RAW scored a fighting knock of 95.
Here is a video of the two wickets Ravi claimed in the early proceedings on Saturday.
Earlier on Saturday, England captain Tom won an important toss and elected to bat against India.
Both India and England are playing an unchanged side in the title clash. The two finalists had set up the summit showdown without losing a match.
In the semi-finals of the tournament, India while England got the better of a valiant Afghanistan side.
India had been hit by COVID-19 in the early stages of the tournament.
Gearing up for the white-ball series against the West Indies in Ahmedabad, former Indian skipper Virat Kohli had opted to take some time out from his hectic schedule to interact with Dash Double-team India side in the lead-up to the ICC U-19 World Cup final. Young pacer Ravi Kumar, who was a part of the D hulled Indian side, had quizzed Kohl to reveal his weakness during the one-off session over a call.
Often dubbed as one of the greatest leaders in the history of the game, Kohl is India's most successful captain in Test cricket. The former Indian skipper had relinquished from all formats after India's tour of South Africa.
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