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

Facing Bangladesh in the quarter-finals of the under-19 World Cup, the Indian colts romped home with a 131 run win, to script their fourth successive triumph in the tourney. After being bowled out for 265 in less than 50 overs, the Indian bowlers made early in-roads into the opposition line-up, eventually shooting them out in 42.1 overs.

Here are five talking points from the match.

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Shubman Gill’s composed knock after an early wicket

After the rare failure of an Indian opener, number 3 batsmen Shubman Gill combined with captain Prithvi Shaw to guide India over the waters. Coming in to bat in the fourth over of the innings, the Punjab player started off on an attacking note, slicing an easy delivery towards fine leg in just the second delivery that he faced.

The duo put up 86 runs for the second wicket, but not before one had been witness to an array of shots that had been perfectly timed and executed. Robiul Hoque’s delivery was shuffled across and driven on towards mid-on but the shot of the innings by Gill was the straight drive off the bowling of Hasan Mahmud, which was pitched full on the off-stump. Not only was it aesthetically pleasing, it also displayed signs of a player brimming with confidence and self-belief.

When Shaw fell after scoring 40, the vice-captain combined with Harvik Desai to stage a 74-run partnership. He missed out on a well-deserving century after trying to cut a good length ball wide outside stump. His knock had nine boundaries.

Abhishek Sharma’s crucial innings down the order

Even though Gill had managed to steady the ship, the Indian team were placed at a precarious 181-4 at the end of 35.6 overs, when the former departed. Still needing at least 100 runs to put up a competitive total, Abhishek Sharma entered the crease with intent and took time adjusting to the conditions.

Displaying maturity, he did not go for a boundary till the 28th ball of his innings, which was thrashed over deep extra covers. Crucial partnerships down the order with the lower middle order batsmen are integral in a side’s quest for a competitive total, and Sharma’s presence enabled just that.

The sixth wicket partnership, between Kamlesh Nagarkoti and Sharma lasted only 10 balls, but fetched sixteen runs, and in the end, these small contributions went a far way in ensuring the result of the match.

The flurry of Indian wickets

After the Indian total had reached a respectable 231-6 in 45 overs, courtesy the gutsy knocks by Gill and Sharma, it was expected that the lower middle order would contribute as many runs as possible in the pressure match between the two neighbouring countries.

However, a combination of perfect death bowling by the Bangladeshi seamers and the inability of the Indian tail to stick around meant that India lost their last five wickets for 50 runs in just 5.5 overs. Qazi Onik, who picked up three wickets in the innings and Saif Hassan, with two wickets were the chief wreckers and the Indian bowlers hardly had any answers for their tight deliveries.

It was also the first time in the tournament that the India team had lost all ten wickets in their innings.

The lack of fight put up by the Bangladeshi batting line-up

Even though India scored almost fifteen runs less, they were never troubled by the Bangladeshi batsmen, who failed to even put up a fight. Sans Pinak Ghosh, who scored 43 in 75 deliveries at the top of the order, the rest of the batsmen failed to get past the score of eighteen.

With two ducks and four single digit scores in the innings, it is safe to say that the team struggled against the pace bowling of Ishan Porel, Nagarkoti and Shivam Mavi, who returned with five wickets amongst themselves.

Left-arm orthodox spinner Sharma capped off a memorable all-round evening with two wickets, barely missing out on the Man-of-the-Match award.

An enthralling semi-final battle waits

With Pakistan having booked their spots in the semi-finals of the World Cup after they defeated South Africa in the quarter-finals, the potential showdown between India and Pakistan in the semi-finals had barely escaped anyone.

With India folding up for 265 in the innings, at the innings break, it did look a few runs below par and the much-awaited rivalry a distant dream. But come January 30, all eyes will be fixed at the Hagley Oval at Christchurch, where the two arch-rivals fight it out for a spot in the finals.