The Boys in Blue have made it to the Under-19 World Cup finals yet again. In fact it is their 3rd consecutive final and they are looking to retain the title. They will face the winner between New Zealand and Bangladesh in the summit clash on February 9.
If current form is anything to go by, then India are all set to win their 5th crown. Yes, they have pretty much steamrolled passed all opposition on their way to the final and no side has really tested them.?
It started by routing Sri Lanka by 90 runs. Yashasvi Jaiswal, Priyam Garg and Dhruv Jurel hit 50s and all the bowlers chipped in. The next game was a totally one-sided contest as Ravi Bishnoi's 4/5 destroyed Japan. India needed just 42 to win and did easily by 10 wickets.?
Yashasvi and Divyansh Saxena hit unbeaten half-centuries when rain stopped play vs New Zealand. Chasing a revised target, the Kiwis never got close. Now it was time for the knockouts.?
The Aussies tested the Indian batsmen in the quarters though Yashasvi and Atharva Ankolekar both made 50s. Kartik Tyagi led the way for the bowlers with 4/24 to set up a 74-run win and a place in the semis. Next up were the semis vs Pakistan and India made it anything but a competition. Sushant Mishra's 3/28 was the reason Pakistan folded for 172. Yashasvi smashed 105 not out and Divyansh hit an unbeaten 59 as India crushed the rivals by 10 wickets.?
So the common factor in all our wins is that they have been convincing. So do not be surprised of a repeat in the final. There is every chance that India will be holding the trophy high on February 9. ??