Members of India’s U-19 World Cup team
Benoni: The match referred to as the final before the final in the U19 World Cup. Hot favorites India will take on South Africa on Tuesday. Reigning champions India have marched into the semi-finals with five straight wins.
The biggest strength of this team is that one or two players cannot be singled out in India’s progress so far. Opener Arshin Kulkarni, one-down batsman Musheer Khan, captain Uday Saharan and finisher Sachin Das all scored centuries. Although he did not score a century, Akash Singh performed well as the opener and wicketkeeper Avnish Aravali as the finisher. Among the bowlers, pacer Naman Tiwary and left-arm spinner Soumi Pandey are India’s trump cards.
Tiwari’s new ball partner Raj Limbani also provides excellent support. Musheer, Kulkarni and the Saharan have been able to show overall excellence. Pandey, who is also the vice-captain of the team, is third in the wicket with 16 wickets. Among the run scorers, Musheer Khan and the Saharan occupy the top two positions.
Priyamshu Molia is the only batsman who has disappointed so far. In this situation, the possibility of replacing Rudra Mayur Patel cannot be ruled out. Rudra, who was the team’s vice-captain, was dropped from the starting eleven because he was consistently ungrounded.
Pakistan will face Australia in the second semi-final. With this, the possibility of an India-Pakistan final also becomes apparent.
India had defeated South Africa twice in the tri-nation tournament held before the World Cup. However, South Africa are in good form now, having lost just one match in the Super Six. Their opening bowler Kwena Mafaka is the leading wicket taker with 18 wickets. How effectively Indian openers Adarshi Singh and Arshin Kulkarni deal with Mafaka, who has taken five wickets three times in five matches, could be decisive in the outcome of the match.
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