U-19 World Cup Final: What will happen if the match is washed out
After having restricted Australia to 216 in the U-19 World Cup final being held in Mount Maunganui, the Indian openers got off to a good start, scoring 23 runs in just 4 overs.
Unfortunately, as was predicted, the rain Gods did not show any mercy as it started to pour down in the stadium, thus forcing the players off the field.
The Duckworth-Lewis par score for India was just 7-0 in 4 overs. They are currently well ahead of the par score. However, the rules suggest that a minimum of 20 overs need to be bowled for D/L to come into play.
Hence, if play does not resume today, India would not win the World Cup, despite performing so well.
So, what will happen?
Like all other major ICC events, the organisers have kept a reserve day, for such a situation.
This means that if the match does not resume today, the players will come out tomorrow and the match will restart.
India's hardwork today would go in vain but they will have another go at the Kangaroos and hope to put up a similar performance.
Earlier in the day, all the Indian bowlers contributed to bowl Australia out for 216. Ishan Porel, Shiva Singh, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, and Anukul Roy picked up two wickets each while Shivam Mavi picked up one wicket.
Jonathan Merlo was the top scorer for the Aussies, with 76 runs to his name in 102 deliveries. None of the other batsmen scored a half-century as wickets kept falling at regular intervals.
If play does resume, India will need 194 runs in 46 overs with all their 10 wickets in hand. Prithvi Shaw is currently batting on 10 while Manjot Kalra is batting on 9.
If India come out triumphant, it would be their 4th U-19 World Cup win.