2018 Under-19 World Cup: India vs Australia, Hits and Misses

India's campaign in the under-19 World Cup started on a positive note at the Bay Oval on Sunday (January 14). They thrashed Australia by 100 runs and showed promising signs in all three aspects of the game.

After winning the toss and choosing to bat first, India posted a massive total of 328-7, courtesy some terrific knocks from the top order. Australia made some glaring blunders in the field, and almost all of them came back to haunt them as India galloped to the gigantic score.

Jason Sangha's men fell short by a large margin in the second innings and apart from opening batsman Jack Edwards, no one crossed the 40-run mark for the Kangaroos.

Let us take a closer look at the hits and misses from the game:

#1 Hit: Indian top order

Prithvi Shaw, Manjot Kalra, and Shubman Gill scored as many as 243 runs between them. They came in just 253 deliveries. This terrific performance from the top 3 in the batting order set the tone for the batsmen to follow and issued a statement of intent.

The Indian skipper led from the front but missed out on a well-deserved century when he was dismissed for 94 in the 30th over of the innings. Kalra, his opening partner, played just as well to compile 86 runs in 99 deliveries.

The opening duo put on 180 runs before vice-captain Gill came in and took matters into his own hands, compiling 63 runs in 54 deliveries.

Australia's gaffes in the field certainly helped, but it was the batsmen who made the most of the opportunity to bat with style, power and persistence.

#2 Miss: Jason Sangha

The Australian skipper came into the tournament as one of the players to watch out for. The right-hander has a tremendous first class record and is one of the up-and-coming cricketers in Australia.

Last month, he impressed one and all with his talent when he became the youngest cricketer after Tendulkar to score a first-class hundred against England.

The game against India was forgettable for the 18-year-old though. He could score just 14 runs with the bat and could not make inspired changes on the field when India were going full throttle in the first innings.

#3 Hit: The Indian pace duo

The seam-bowling pair of Kamlesh Nagarkoti and Shivam Mavi racked up high-speeds throughout the second innings and broke the very spine of the Australian batting lineup.

They bowled consistently in the 140 kmph range and picked up six wickets in their 16 overs, giving away just 74 runs collectively. In fact, Nagarkoti crossed the 145 kmph mark and picked up three crucial wickets in his spell.

Navi bowled with the new ball and Nagarkoti came in as the first change. Both the youngsters impressed endlessly.

The fielding could've been a tad better, especially in the last lap of the game. However, the incredible pace bowling by the duo ensured that the team did not pay the price for the blunders on the field.

#4 Miss: Austin Waugh

The Australian all-rounder had a tough day in the office, as he was taken apart by the willow of the Indian batsmen throughout the game.

He bowled 6 overs and gave away 64 runs, bowling at an economy of over 10.5 runs an over. He did get the sole wicket of middle-order batsman Anukul Roy in his spell, but was subject to tremendous hitting by the Indian batsmen otherwise.

He was the most expensive bowler of the game and his numbers are a cause for concern for the Australian coach and skipper.

#5 Hit: Jack Edwards

Edwards stood out in the game with his all-round performance, and despite the loss his team suffered, would have surely caught the attention of the audience.

He was the only Australian batsman to score a half-century in the innings. He opened the innings and established a solid foundation for the batsmen to come, but his efforts went in vain as no one else could make an impact on the game.

He made 73 runs in 90 deliveries and his knock included six fours and one huge six.

He picked up four huge wickets with the ball but gave away 65 runs in his quota of nine overs. Edwards, without a shadow of a doubt, was the best Australian cricketer on the field.