India’s U-19 cricket team will face unbeaten England in the ICC U-19 World Cup final on Friday, aiming for a record sixth title. After a dominant semi-final win over Afghanistan, India will rely on key performers including Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and returning captain Ayush Mhatre
India skipper Ayush Mhatre next to the U-19 World Cup Trophy in Harare (right) England captain Thomas Rew. PIC/GETTY IMAGES
In pursuit of a record-extending sixth title, the Indian U-19 team will bank on its swashbuckling batting line-up when it takes on a gritty England in what promises to be an evenly-matched summit clash of the ICC U-19 World Cup here on Friday.
India’s successful chase of a massive total to humble Afghanistan in the semi-final where skipper Ayush Mhatre and opener Aaron George finally produced innings of substance, augurs well for the five-time champions. They now face another unbeaten team in England.
India will be aware that England have reached this far after knocking out defending champions Australia and will be high on confidence.
To pull off the win, India will need a collective performance befitting the quality in their line-up, studded with batting prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, whose firestorm approach has left opposition teams struggling for answers.
The return to form of Mhatre has given India plenty to cheer about.
Additionally, India’s pace attack of Deepesh Devendran, Henil Patel and RS Ambrish has stood up well so far, but the challenge could be sterner against an England side that thrives on pace bowling and will lean heavily on their prolific run-getter Ben Mayes, who is the second-highest run-scorer this tournament (399 runs).
India’s road to the final
>> vs USA: Won by 6 wickets
>> vs Bangladesh: Won by 18 runs (DLS method)
>> vs NZ: Won by 7 wickets (DLS method)
>> vs Zimbabwe: Won by 204 runs
>> vs Pakistan: Won by 58 runs
>> vs Afghanistan: Won by seven wickets
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