India and Australia face each other in blockbuster semi-final

February 1, 2022

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India and Australia face each other in blockbuster semi-final

Coolidge (Antigua): Heavyweights India and Australia will face it here on Wednesday in a blockbuster Super League semi-final of the Under-19 World Cup, after beating their opponents on the pitch and COVID-19 off it as they progress to the final four stages.

India’s preparations for the age-group showpiece have been hit hard by the virus, with hardly any national camps or tournaments in the past two years, save for the recent Asian Cup.

The four-time champion started the tournament on the right foot, beating a good South African squad by 45 runs, but soon found themselves struggling to play a playing XI after multiple players were found to have COVID-19 hours for their game against Ireland.

Five members of the squad were unavailable for their second group clash, against Ireland on January 19 following a COVID outbreak.

Captain Yash Dhull, his deputy Shaik Rasheed, Aaradhya Yadav, Manav Parakh and Siddarth Yadav were part of that group and missed both Ireland and Uganda matches, forcing the BCCI to fly in reinforcements.

India ran out of players for their match against Uganda and had to call in six reserves to play with the uninfected members of their team.

But a vibrant India won every challenge that came their way, beating Ireland and Uganda before they triumphed over Bangladesh by five wickets in a tricky chase in their quarter-final match on a surface not conducive to playing strokes.

India is now back at full strength and with another good news: Nishant Sindhu has recovered from COVID-19 and will be available for roster for the all-important semi-final.

But if the match against Bangladesh was any indication, India would want to improve their bat finish.

But before that, despite missing out on many first XI players, India racked up huge totals against Ireland (307/5) and Uganda (405), and recorded their biggest win ever against the African team.

Now up against a formidable Australian side, India will take confidence in making it to the semi-finals with victories at the trot, despite the challenges presented by the virus.

This is the fourth time in a row that India will appear in the final four stages of the competition.

India has a strong batting position with the likes of Harnoor Singh, Angkrish Raghuvanshi and Raj Bawa who broke Shikhar Dhawan’s record for highest individual score by an Indian batter in the U-19 World Cup with his 162 not out against Uganda, while taking the responsibility, alongside Skipper Dhull and Rasheed.

It was even Dhull who set the tone for the team with his 82 against South Africa in their tournament opener.

The bowling department is being looked after by left arm pacer Ravi Kumar, who wreaked havoc in a five-over spell to wrestle Bangladesh on 14/3, right arm sailor Rajvardhan Hangargekar, spinners Vicky Ostwal and Kaushal Tambe, alongside medium pacer Bawa.

As for Australia, the two-time champions will be on a high after their convincing win over Pakistan in the quarter-finals.

Australia has a superstar in the works in opener Teague Wyllie.

The 17-year-old has been one of the stars of the World Cup to date, with his impressive range of shots and an attacking but controlled temperament. And the West Australian youngster has no shortage of confidence either, making him an all-rounder with every chance to make it in the international game.

Wyllie was at his best against Pakistan and helped his side get off to a great start as he stroked eight fours in an impressive 97-ball. 71 India will be wary of him.

Tom Whitney (2/31) and William Salzmann (3/37) were the star players with the ball against Pakistan, and there is hardly an obvious weak link for India to exploit.

India had beaten Australia in the warm-up match.

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