Unstoppable so far, India will be aiming to rewrite the record books with a fourth title when the Rahul Dravid-coached side squares off against an equally formidable Australia in the final of the ICC Under-19 World Cup, here on Saturday.
India and Australia are the two most successful teams in the history of the tournament having won the coveted trophy thrice each.
But, come Saturday, Dravid’s sprightly boys will be desperate to outwit their Australian counterparts and become the first team in the history of the event to lift the trophy for a record fourth time.
The promising Prithvi Shaw will be eager to join the likes of Mohammad Kaif (2000), Virat Kohli (2008) and Unmukt Chand (2012) in leading the side to the U-19 World Cup title.
Impressive run
Going by current form, odds are heavily in favour of India. The Indians have put in some impressive performances to win all their five matches — including a 100-run victory over Australia in its tournament opener.
India’s batting has been at its lethal best. While the openers — Shaw and Manjot Kalra — have given the team good starts throughout the tournament, Shubman Gill has been in phenomenal form at the number three position.
In the bowling department, Shivam Mavi and Kamlesh Nagarkoti have been fantastic, raking up speeds in excess of 140kmph at will.
Australia, on the other hand, will be looking for revenge after its big loss to the Indians in the opener.
The Indian skipper was cautious about his team’s chances and said Australia had improved considerably since the 100-run defeat.
“They (Australia) are a good side, it will be challenging for us even though they have lost against us in the first game,” Shaw said.
Australian skipper Jason Sangha said the 100-run loss to India earlier in the tournament is a thing of the past.
“The 100-run loss does not bother me at all. A grand final is a different contest, anything can happen,” he said.
The teams (from) :
India U-19 : Prithvi Shaw (Capt.), Shubman Gill, Manjot Kalra, Himanshu Rana, Abhishek Sharma, Riyan Parag, Harvik Desai, Shivam Mavi, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Ishan Porel, Anukul Roy, Shiva Singh, Aryan Juyal, Arshdeep Singh and Pankaj Yadav.
Australia U-19 : Jason Sangha (Capt.), Will Sutherland, Xavier Bartlett, Max Bryant, Jack Edwards, Zak Evans, Jarrod Freeman, Ryan Hadley, Baxter J. Holt, Nathan McSweeney, Jonathan Merlo, Lloyd Pope, Param Uppal and Austin Waugh .
Correction and clarification:
In the above copy, it was erroneously stated that Mohammad Kaif won the U-19 cricket world cup in 2002 . Actually, Kaif won it in 2000 .
