It has been almost six years since an Indian team took on Australia in the final of the Under-19 World Cup. On that occasion in 2012, Unmukt Chand led India to glory, thus drawing level with Australia with three title wins apiece. While the trophy has eluded both teams in the last two editions, the opportunity to become the most successful team in the history of the competition - with a fourth title victory - will spur both Prithvi Shaw and Jason Sangha's sides when they face off in the summit clash of the ICC Under-19 World Cup, 2018 today (Saturday), reports Cricbuzz.
India colts put forth a stellar show in their opening game by posting a massive 328 on the board, riding on fifties from the top three - Shaw, Manjot Kalra and Shubman Gill. On the day, Shivam Mavi and Kamlesh Nagarkoti stepped up too to announce their arrival on the world stage. As the campaign has wore on, India's batsmen have assumed the kind of prominence that they are expected to. Gill has crossed fifty every time he has walked out to bat, Shaw has got runs every time as well and Harvik Desai and Kalra have made their presence felt too.
Australia's batsmen haven't been as menacing but Jack Edwards and skipper Sangha will hold the key in their top three. If the duo can have a good outing together, Australia could well be on their way to avenge the defeat suffered early in the tournament. The one player who has hit the headlines for them is the legspinner Lloyd Pope and his mind-boggling figures of 8 for 35 against traditional rivals England put him on everyone's radar. Although India would be expected to handle spin well, Pope would have a big say in the game if Australia has to bank on its trump cards.
Squads: India U-19: Prithvi Shaw(c), Manjot Kalra, Shubman Gill, Harvik Desai(w), Riyan Parag, Abhishek Sharma, Anukul Roy, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Shivam Mavi, Shiva Singh, Ishan Porel, Himanshu Rana, Aryan Juyal, Arshdeep Singh, Pankaj Yadav, Aditya Thakare
Australia U-19: Jack Edwards, Max Bryant, Jason Sangha(c), Jonathan Merlo, Param Uppal, Nathan McSweeney, Will Sutherland, Baxter J Holt(w), Zak Evans, Ryan Hadley, Lloyd Pope, Xavier Bartlett, Jarrod Freeman, Aaron Hardie, Austin Waugh
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