2018 Under-19 World Cup: India vs Australia,  5 talking points

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With all eyes focussed on Virat Kohli’s bizarre team selections ahead of the second Test against South Africa, yet another Indian squad began their path towards super-stardom in silent earnest. Led by talented youngster Prithvi Shaw, the Under-19 Indian team began their World Cup campaign against Australia at Mount Maunganui.

The Group B encounter between the former champion sides was termed as one of the biggest matches of the group stages and by the end, India had shown their all-round mettle to emerge victorious by a convincing margin of 100 runs.

Here are the five talking points from the match.

A resolute opening wicket partnership for India

It was always imperative to start the tournament on a dominant note and the Indian opening duo of Prithvi Shaw and Manjot Kalra were able to do just that. The openers put up 180 runs for the first wicket in 29.4 overs, with both batsmen scoring fifties.

Kalra, in particular, was a treat to watch in the innings with his powerful shots and bottom hand play; punching the leg-cutters by Austin Waugh down the ground and perfectly carving out the back-of-a-length deliveries by Jonathan Merlo with superb timing and placements. His knock included 12 fours and one majestic six and he missed out on a well-deserved hundred when he was dismissed off a brilliant catch by Jason Sangha.

In-form Shaw too was not far behind in wowing the paltry spectators with his potential, by checking the drives and ably handling the full tosses and the good length deliveries. By reminding the on-air commentators of Sachin Tendulkar, the youngster gave adequate glimpses of his talent and along with his partner, succeeded in laying the foundation for a challenging total. His knock included eight hits to the boundary along with two sixes.

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