Mount Maunganui, Jan 14: Skipper Prithvi Shaw led from the front with a 94-run knock as India U19 team defeated Australia by 100 runs in their first league game here on Sunday (January 14).
Great all- round performance by the young lads. Really a delight to watch the passion. An emphatic win to start the campaign. Keep it up boys #U19CWC
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) January 14, 2018
Batting first India colts posted 328 for seven, setting a daunting total of 329 for the Aussies to chase. In response, the Boys in Blue restricted Boys in Yellow to 228 in 42.5 overs and registered a convincing win.
A massive win for India in Tauranga! Nagarkoti and Mavi trouble Australia who are dismissed for just 228 after Prithvi Shaw's 94 sent India on their way to victory! #INDvAUS #U19CWC pic.twitter.com/0TeCkurBfO
— Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) January 14, 2018
For Australia, opener Jack Edwards top-scored with 73 off 90 deliveries while no other batsman managed to trouble India bowlers.
Pacers Shivam Navi (3/45) and Kamlesh Nagarkoti (3/29) shined with the ball to fold the Aussies' innings. The duo also impressed all with their speed as they shared six wickets among themselves. Nagarkoti hit the deck consistently at a speed in the range of 150kmph and was well supported by Mavi, who also clocked 145 at times. The two pacers tested Australians with their nagging off-stump line.
Australia opener Jack Edwards top-scored for his side with a 73-run knock after a steady start with Max Bryant (29) but struggled to find support from others. Jonathan Merlo (38) tried his best in the middle order and stumper Baxtor Holt (39) resisted in a rearguard fight but both were undone by Mavi. India next play Papua New Guinea on Tuesday.
Very impressed with this Indian U/19 team, batting skill, dynamic in the field & bowlers with pace!! #FutureStars @ICC #IndvAus #U19CWC
— Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) January 14, 2018
Earlier, Shaw and shared a 180-run stand with fellow opener Manjot Kalra (86) to power India to a challenging total. The talented batsman was awarded the man of the match for his 94.
Prithvi Shaw shows off his Player of the Match award for the cameras! #INDvAUS #U19CWC pic.twitter.com/lyiaNOW43z
— Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) January 14, 2018
The splendid top-order batting vindicated Shaw's decision to bat in their tournament-opener. There was no respite for the Australian bowlers even after departure of Shaw and Kalra with Shubhman Gill tormenting the bowlers with his 63-run knock. It was not that Shaw and Klara plundered boundaries, instead they raised their knocks with some stupendous risk- free batting.
This was serious pace from our boys. Solid beginning beating the Aussies by 100 runs. May the hunger continue and we carry the momentum. #U19CWC pic.twitter.com/zL75RDxjN3
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) January 14, 2018
Shaw, though, missed out on a century by six runs as he was caught behind off Will Sutherland, son of former Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland. The Indian captain faced 100 balls and scored eight boundaries, including two sixes in his knock. His opening partner also missed out on a ton, falling for 86 which came off 99 balls with 12 shots to the fence and on over the ropes.
Prithvi Shaw looks so special. Brilliant 94 and a really solid start for India. Cheering for the boys, for many of whom this is a significant event in their endeavour to be India Cricketers. #INDvAUS #U19CWC
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) January 14, 2018
There were no steady partnerships after their departure even as Gill kept one end solid with his 54-ball knock which had six fours and a six. The middle order batsmen lost their wickets, trying to accelerate the run-rate as Himanshu Rana (14) and Anukul Roy (6) fell cheaply.
Three times #U19CWC champions India 🇮🇳 beat 3 times #U19CWC champs Australia 🇦🇺 by 100 runs in the opening round of the #U19CWC 2018 at Mount Maunganui!#IndvAus#FutureStars
— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) January 14, 2018
Abhishek Sharma though managed to come up with an 8-ball 23-run cameo which propelled India past the 300-run mark. he hit two sixes and as many fours.
As Indian batsmen looked for some quick runs, Australian medium fast bowler Jack Edwards ended up taking four wickets. It was Edwards, who dismissed Rana and then later added wickets of Abhishek and Shiva Singh (10) to his tally.
(With inputs from PTI)