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

It was meant to be a big clash! Any cricket match involving India and Pakistan evokes with it its own sense of challenges and rivalry and the Under-19 World Cup semi-final between the two nations was no different. However, all the hype ended rather anti-climactically with a rampaging Indian team defeating their neighbours by a margin of 203 runs. Having scored 272/9 in their allotted overs, they shot down Pakistan for just 69 to enter the finals of the event undefeated and in dangerous form.

Here are the 5 talking points from the match.

#5 Shubman Gill’s streak of fifty-plus scores

Shubman Gill has been a revelation for the Indian side in this tournament, taking away all the limelight from Captain Prithvi Shaw. In every innings that he has batted he has notched up a total in excess of 50 in the tournament, and with an unbeaten 102 in 94 balls against Pakistan, he further displayed his grit in pressure situations.

Coming in to bat after the loss of Shaw, the youngster took time settling in after which there was no stopping him. With beautiful shots around the mid-on and mid-wicket, Gill took ample opportunity to showcase his talent and it would not be a hyperbole to suggest that the Punjab player has played a crucial knock in guiding India to the finals.

With 341 runs in 5 innings, he has been a crucial player for the side and India would hope that he can continue his efforts in the finals as well.