India clinched their fifth ICC U19 World Cup title on February 5, defeating England by four wickets in a low-scoring finale encounter at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in North Sound, Antigua. The Asian giants overcame their European rivals in the summit clash, thanks largely to the magnificent allround exploits from Raj Bawa.
The 19-year-old cricketer delivered an excellent spell of five for 31 in the first half and backed it up with a watchful but important 35 to steer India to the winning post in the run-chase. Bawa helped India bundle out England for a paltry score of 189 and allowed his team to chase the 190-run target with four wickets intact and more than a couple of overs remaining.
Things could easily have been worse for England, who were reduced to 91 for seven at one stage by Bawa and his pace partner Ravi Kumar, who also picked up four wickets (4/34) off his nine overs. The duo ran through the England top seven, and it required a lower-order fightback for the three lions to reach near the 200-mark.
That fightback was led by middle-order batter James Rew with his highly impressive knock of 95 runs off 116 deliveries. He stood up to the task when his team could’ve easily collapsed to 120–130 all out. He produced a terrific innings under pressure. Rew also found able support in No.9 James Sales, who admirably held an end up for his 34 off 65 deliveries.
🎥 Highlights of 95 scored by James Rew vs India yesterday in the U19s World Cup Final 🙌#WeAreSomerset #U19CWC pic.twitter.com/ymlk8QkhjV
— Somerset Cricket 🏏 (@SomersetCCC) February 6, 2022
With those two adding 93 runs for the eighth-wicket stand, England reached 184/7 – a position from where another 40 runs could’ve created uncertainty and doubt in the Indian camp. However, just then England lost Rew before what would’ve been a much-deserved century to Kumar. The prized scalp brought about a mini-collapse as England finished on 189 all out.
In the run-chase, India began precariously, losing Angkrish Raghuvanshi without a score on the board. But fellow opener Harnoor Singh (21) and Shaik Rasheed (50) ensured no further hiccups with the new ball, stitching a measured partnership of 48 runs before Harnoor’s departure. That stand was pivotal to India’s cause as new-ball breakthroughs were key to England standing an outside chance in the game.
Once that didn’t happen, India could control the game well with the conditions easing up nicely. In this context, Rasheed’s solid half-century was perhaps the most important knock in the chase. The young gun couldn’t make a more substantial score but left a great impact in the game.
2⃣0⃣0⃣0⃣ 🏆
— BCCI (@BCCI) February 5, 2022
2⃣0⃣0⃣8⃣ 🏆
2⃣0⃣1⃣2⃣ 🏆
2⃣0⃣1⃣8⃣ 🏆
2⃣0⃣2⃣2⃣ 🏆
India U19 – The FIVE-TIME World Cup Winners 👏 🔝#U19CWC #BoysInBlue pic.twitter.com/DiE53Sdu0Y
India had a few stutters in the middle-order, where their in-form captain Yash Dhull (17) went early. But then No.5 Nishant Sindhu came to the party. Sindhu struck an unbeaten half-century (50*) to push his team home. His innings featuring five fours and one six, Sindhu displayed not just impressive skills but also a strong temperament under pressure.
Talking of skill and temperament, they were on show with Bawa, too, as he continued to dominate England in the second half as well. Having taken a match-winning five-fer, he now struck a crucial 35 off 54 balls, adding a vital stand of 67 runs with Sindhu.
That partnership nearly sealed India’s victory despite Bawa’s dismissal. India soon lost Kaushal Tambe (1) following his nervy stay at the crease. But wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Bana owned the stage from there and made a five-ball unbeaten 13, including an MS Dhoni-like six to finish off the proceedings.
Brief scores
England U19 189/10 in 44.5 overs (Rew 95; Bawa 5/31, Kumar 4/34) lost to India U19 195/6 in 47.4 overs (Sindhu 50*, Rasheed 50; Boyden 2/24) by 4 wickets
