ANTIGUA: India clinched the U-19 Cricket World Cup title for the fifth time after beating England by four wickets in the finals held at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in North Sound, Antigua, on Saturday, February 5. Previously, India has won the Under -19 world cup in the year 2000, 2008, 2012, 2018.
A sensational all-round show from Raj Angad Bawa on Saturday contributed immensely to India’s win. Bawa shone with the ball with a sensational fiver (5/31) to help India restrict England for only 189 runs and then hit a valuable and memorable 35 down the order to help India chase down the target of 190 with 2.2 overs to spare.
Earlier, England skipper Tom Prest opted to bat after winning the toss but they were bundled out for 189 in 44.5 overs with Bawa picking up 5 for 31 runs in 9.5 overs. JEK Rew top scored with a brilliant 95 runs off 116 balls but didn’t get much support from others. JJG Sales contributed 34 runs. Indian Ravi Kumar picked up 4 wickets for 34 from his 9 overs. Chasing the target of 190 runs Rasheed and Sindhu both picked up half centuries and stabilized the Indian run chase. Bawa’s contribution with the bat (35 runs) and a solid partnership of 67 runs with Sindhu at the latter part of the innings saw Indian reach 195 runs for 6 wickets in 47.4 overs. Sindhu remained unbeaten on 50. Englishmen Boyden , Sales and Aspinwall all picked up 2 wickets each but was not able to stop India from winning its 5th world cup.
Sri Lankan Graeme Labrooy was the match referee for the final. Bawa was named the player of the match for his all-round performance. (RZ) Title image credit – ESPN
