ICC under-19 World Cup: India vs Papua New Guinea, Hits and Misses
After their thumping victory against Papua New Guinea in their second match of the ICC under-19 World Cup, India now have emerged as the favourites to win the tournament, yet again. Everything about their team looks settled, solid and seamless. Their batsmen have looked up for the task and their bowling has enviable variety as well as variations. They can still improve a tad in the fielding department, but it’s still good enough to not be a liability to their campaign.
India dominated Papua New Guinea from the word go. Prithvi Shaw won the toss and chose to field first, going all out and dismissing their opposition for a meek 66 in just under 22 overs.
The Indian opening batsmen were enough to see the total through and chase the target in 8 overs. A match, which usually ends around 1.30 PM IST, was over by 8.15 AM IST. Doesn’t get easier than this at international level, does it?
Let us take a closer look at the hits and misses from the game:
#1 Hit: Anukul Roy
The left-arm spinner, with his maiden five-for in youth ODI cricket, was the man of the match. He struck in his very first over and did not stop thereafter. Three of his five dismissals came through deliveries that skidded through.
In a game where all eyes were on the pace duo of Kamlesh Nagarkoti and Shivam Mavi, this 19-year-old shone in overcast and seaming conditions.
He crippled the opposition batting order with his precise bowling and gave away just 14 runs in 6.5 overs at an economy of 2 runs per over.