India reached their sixth Under-19 World Cup final, after they beat Pakistan in the semi-final at Christchurch on January 30, 2018. Here’s how they got there.
India’s toughest challenge was expected to come against Australia in their opening game, in Tauranga. The Australians, however, proved no match as India posted 328 and won by 100 runs. Captain Prithvi Shaw (in picture) led the way with 94 before the fast bowlers, Kamlesh Nagarkoti and Shivam Mavi, surprised the Australians with their pace.
India had it very easy against Papua New Guinea. After bundling out PNG for just 64 in 21 overs, the Indians completed the formalities in just 8 overs. There was plenty of time to take a selfie or 20.
That was followed by another easy outing, against Zimbabwe. Left-arm spinner Anukul Roy’s 4 for 20 enabled India to bundle out Zimbabwe for 154. Another ten-wicket win for India, with Shubman Gill leading the way with 90 off 59 balls.
From Tauranga to Queenstown. Shubman Gill, India's best batsman in the tournament, scored a 94-ball 86 in the quarter-final against Bangladesh. India scored 265 and went on to win by 131 runs.
At the semi-final in Christchurch, India were up against Pakistan. It was anything but a competitive game as India sent Pakistan crashing to 69, thanks to Ishan Porel's (in picture) 4 for 17. Earlier, Gill smashed an unbeaten 102 to take India to 272. It set up a final clash with Australia on February 3.
If there’s an Indian team playing, trust fans to show up. Indian fans at Hagley Oval in Christchurch weren’t going to miss this encounter with old rivals Pakistan.