Bangladesh youth side registered a sensational win in the finals of the under-19 World Cup to grab their maiden title at any level in a World Cup. Bowling India out for 177, Bangladesh fought through a terrific spell from Ravi Bishnoi to come out on top in the end and hand India youth side their first defeat in the World Cup. 

Here are few moments from the game where India faltered which tilted the balance to Bangladesh's way.  

The middle-order collapse

India had a strong start to their innings despite losing Divyansh Saxena early. Tilak Varma and Yashasvi Jaiswal put on a 94-run partnership to drive India to 103 before Tanzim Hasan Sakib dismissed the no.3 batsman. Jaiswal was later dismissed on 88 but even then India were on 156/4 and fairly well-placed to make a decent total. 

However, Siddhesh Veer fell first ball and the lower middle-order collapsed like a heap of cards with no resilience. From 156/3 at one point, India lost seven wickets for 21 runs to give Bangladesh huge momentum heading into the innings break.

India's middle-order hadn't been tested a lot in this World Cup with the big runs coming from Jaiswal and Saxena. The lack of time in the middle showed as Bangladesh used their bowlers cleverly to run through the strong Indian side.

Holding back Tyagi and Bishnoi

If India started their innings well, Bangladesh did even better. Against Kartik Tyagi and a wayward Sushant Mishra, the Bangladesh openers laid a strong foundation. Once the opening stand of 50 was broken, India climbed back into the game through Ravi Bishnoi whose googlies had Bangladesh in a spin.

Bishnoi grabbed four wickets in the space of nine overs between the 8th and 17th and Bangladesh lost Parvez Hossain Emon who retired hurt. At this point, India were well ahead in the game. By the start of the 21st over, half of Bangladesh's side were dismissed with the team score on 85. 

Instead of persisting with Bishnoi to do more damage, captain Priyam Garg changed his end and the leg-spinner failed to generate as much impact since. Tyagi, the strike bowler, wasn't brought back until the 26th over when Akbar Ali and Parvez Hossain had started re-building strong. 

With the clouds gathering, India should have attacked with their strike bowlers early to create a breakthrough and get ahead in the DLS equation.

Extras

Bangladesh were helped in a fairly easy run-chase by some ill-discipline from the Indian bowlers. Parvez Hossain and Akbar Ali made forties but no other Bangladesh batsman had scored over 20 with only one making double digits. But they had an able 12th man in Extras, who scored 33 runs, helped by as many as 19 wides from the Indian bowlers. 

The pacers, in particular, were guilty of giving too many freebies. Sushant Mishra was lucky to be in the attack after his first spell where he sent down two beamers. He bowled four wides and two no-balls in all. Tyagi and Akash Singh added five wides apiece in their spells. 

The extra runs relieved any pressure that Bangladesh were facing from Bishnoi. That they allowed India to make their mistakes was evident when Akbar Ali was content to not score for 22 balls at a stretch towards the end. The series of dots was broken when Akash sent down three wides in an over.

Feature image courtesy: Twitter / @cricketworldcup

It's an all-Asian final in South Africa in the 2020 edition of the ICC under-19 World Cup as four-time champions India take on new finalists Bangladesh at Potchefstroom on Sunday. India and Bangladesh in the finals have been lop-sided affairs at all levels and India are favourites to win a fifth title on Sunday. They will, however, face stiff resistance from a few Bangladesh players. We have them, and a few Indian players in the list of players to watch out for in the finals. 

Yashasvi Jaiswal

With 312 runs in 5 matches at an average of 156 including two centuries, Yashasvi Jaiswal has clearly been the batsman of the tournament. India's left-handed opener has combined tenacity with flair and managed to be rock solid at the top for India in the tournament. In five matches against the Bangladesh youth side since the last youth World Cup, Jaiswal has 164 runs at an average just over 30. He has also been dismissed a couple of times by Rakibul Hasan, making this an interesting battle to watch out for in the finals.

Read | U-19 World Cup: Twitter reacts to India’s thumping win over Pakistan

Mahmudul Hasan Joy

Bangladesh's saviour at the top of the order and clearly their batsman of the World Cup has been Mahmudul Hasan Joy. The no. 3 batsman was the architect of Bangladesh's triumph over New Zealand in the semi-finals, scoring a fine century in a tricky run-chase to take his team home. Mahmudul has 164 runs in 5 matches against India youth side since the last World Cup and it includes a brilliant century (109), a knock he would love to repeat in the finals.

Divyaansh Saxena

India's two biggest run-scorers in the tournament have both been openers. While Jaiswal has hogged headlines for his brilliant run of form, Saxena has been an able partner, putting up brilliant partnerships and acting as the dedicated second-fiddle. He has scores of 55 and 37 against the Bangladesh youth side in the two matches he has played against them. Breaking the Indian opening pair will be one of Bangladesh's biggest tasks on Sunday.

Read | India vs Pakistan U-19 World Cup: Factors that helped India triumph

Rakibul Hasan

With 11 wickets in five matches at an average of 8.45, Rakibul Hasan, the left-arm spinner has been Bangladesh's bowler of the tournament in their run to the finals. The left-arm spinner snared five for 19 in the match against South Africa in the quarterfinals and picked up the massive wicket of Ollie White in the semis against New Zealand where he bowled three maidens in his ten-over spell that went for just 35. The spinner has dismissed Jaiswal twice in youth ODIs and will be key for the Tigers to test India's in-form opener.

Bangladesh created their own bit of history against New Zealand by qualifying for an U19 World Cup final for the first time.

Relive their superb all-round team performance. #U19CWC | #FutureStars pic.twitter.com/9k5ojRhGLu

�?Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) February 8, 2020

Kartik Tyagi

Even if Ravi Bishnoi is India's top wicket-taker in the tournament and fourth in the list of most wicket-takers this World Cup, Kartik Tyagi has been the standout bowler for them. The seamer has been exceptional with his execution of the yorkers and ability to deliver under pressure. He was instrumental in India's surge to the finals, bowling his team to an unlikely win against the Aussies after the batting floundered. Tyagi has 11 wickets this World Cup at an average of 10.91 and will be backed to run through Bangladesh's batting line-up, much like Pakistan's pace attack did earlier in the tournament.

Read | Predicting India’s chances at the U19 World Cup Finals

Feature image courtesy: Twitter / @cricketworldcup

For the third successive time a youth World Cup will witness the colts from India in the finals of the tournament. With a strong batting line-up, a potent pace attack and some wily spinners, India have easily been the team of the tournament and a title win appears all but inevitable on Sunday. Here we weigh their chances based on historical records.

Overall record in under-19 World Cups

 India have been the most successful team in under-19 World Cups with four titles in their kitty and a fifth one well in sights this time around. Since the inception of the tournament in 1988, the India colts have won 76.3% of their games. In the last three World Cups, the India under-19 side has made the World Cup finals, winning once in 2018 and losing to West Indies in 2016.

TEAMS IN UNDER-19 WC - OVERALL RECORD
Team	Played	Won	Lost	Tie	NR	Win%
 India	77	58	18	0	1	76.31
 Australia	73	54	17	0	2	76.05
 Pakistan	75	53	21	0	1	71.62
 South Africa	67	47	19	0	1	71.21
 West Indies	77	47	30	0	0	61.03
 England	81	48	32	0	1	60
 Sri Lanka	80	43	36	0	1	54.43
 New Zealand	72	33	38	0	1	46.47
 Bangladesh	70	48	20	1	1	70.28
 Afghanistan	30	14	15	0	1	48.27
 Zimbabwe	74	34	40	0	0	45.95

India in under-19 World Cups

 India have made it to seven under-19 World Cup finals in the 13 World Cups so far at youth level. This includes six World Cup finals in the last 8 World Cups at under-19 level. It is to be noted that in the first two editions of the World Cup �?in 1988 and 1998 �?India finished at 6^th and 5^th respectively. They emerged surprise winners in 2000 under Mohammad Kaif’s captaincy beating Sri Lanka in the finals in Colombo.

READ: ICC U19 World Cup 2020: A few learning lessons from the Indian colts

It took eight years for them to win the tournament again, this time under the current national team skipper Virat Kohli. They beat the Wayne Parnell-led South African side in the finals by D/L method. In 2012, India won the title again under Unmukt Chand, thumping Australia in the finals. They also won in 2018 �?the last edition of the World Cup in New Zealand �?under Prithvi Shaw with Shubman Gill finishing as the Player of the tournament.

INDIA IN UNDER-19 WORLD CUPS
Year	1988	1998	2000	2002	2004	2006	2008	2010	2012	2014	2016	2018	2020
 India	6th	5th	1st	3rd	3rd	2nd	1st	6th	1st	5th	2nd	1st	Finals

India under-19 in knockout games

India’s under-19 side has been outstanding in knockout matches over the years (this includes matches outside the World Cup too).

India under-19 in knockout games
Match Type	Matches	Won	Lost	Tie	NR	Win %
Finals	25	22	2	1	0	88.0%
Semi-finals	12	11	1	0	0	91.7%
Quarter-finals	8	6	2	0	0	75.0%
Preliminary round	124	98	24	0	2	79.0%

They have won 88% of all tournament finals, 91.7% of all semi-finals and 75% of the quarter-finals. If they do get into the semi-finals, India’s youth team more often than not goes to the finals and more often than not wins the tournament too.

That they have lost just 2 finals in 25 attempts shows just how good the team has been over the years in crunch games.

India under-19 against possible opponents

India will face one of Bangladesh or New Zealand in the finals. The other semi-finals of the tournament will see these two teams go head-to-head.

Now, New Zealand and Bangladesh don’t really have impressive records in the under-19 World Cup and the semi-final spot is perhaps a good high for them. That they head into one of the all-time best under-19 India sides further dents their chances.

Opposition	Matches	Won	Lost	Tie	NR
vs Bangladesh	22	18	3	 0	1
vs New Zealand	19	16	3	0	0

Over the years, India’s under-19 side has dominated Bangladesh and New Zealand at youth level. They have only lost thrice each to these sides in all under-19 matches. In under-19 World Cups, India have never lost to New Zealand’s youth side, winning all seven matches between the two teams. Against Bangladesh, they have won on three out of four matches in under-19 World Cups with the sole loss coming in 2002 at Auckland.

Prediction: Whichever team qualifies for the final, India’s chances for winning the tournament is pretty high given their record against these teams, general record in under-19 World Cups and record in knockout games.

Feature image courtesy: Twitter/ @cricketworldcup

In what was supposed to be a tightly fought contest between India and Pakistan in the ICC U-19 World Cup, the likes of Yashasvi Jaiswal (105 off 113 balls) and Divyansh Saxena (59 off 99 balls) ran riot for the Boys in Blue to cruise to an emphatic 10-wicket victory over their arch nemesis to make it to their seventh U-19 World Cup final.

And while their batting was indeed top-notch, the defending champions were equally brilliant with the ball, where the likes of Kartik Tyagi, Sushant Mishra and Ravi Bishnoi picked seven wickets between them at an extremely stable economy.

The bowling attacked chocked Pakistan to a paltry 172 in 43.1 overs, with only Haider Ali and Rohail Nazir making their mark with the bat, scored 56 and 62 respectively. Such was the gulf in the class that as many as eight Pakistanis were dismissed in single digits. And when they came to bat, it seemed like they hardly broke a sweat to reach their target. They, in fact, reached their target in a mere 35.2 overs.

"It's a dream come true for me. To be able to do this for my country is a great feeling. To score a hundred against Pakistan in a World Cup semi-final is something I can't put into words," Jaiswal, who hit eight fours and four sixes, said after winning the 'Player of the Match' award.

Having said that, India will square off against the winner of New Zealand vs Bangladesh in the final, which is set to be played on February 9.

Twitter, meanwhile, was flooded with the wishes and this is how the young guns got their appreciation.

The other thing about todays semi-final is that I didn't see, and unfortunately for a talented Pakistan U19 batting unit; there was no easing of pressure from any weak link in India's' bowling line-up. Each bowler just seemed to know exactly how to apply/maintain pressure.

�?Ian bishop (@irbishi) February 4, 2020

I think we’ve seen something very special today in Yashasvi Jaiswal. First time for me watching him live. A young guy who can pace his innings to the teams needs. He understands batsmanship. First ICCU19CWC . pic.twitter.com/1PacjWbZl2

�?Ian bishop (@irbishi) February 4, 2020

#futurestar Player of the match #indvpak #worldcup #u19cwc #YashasviJaiswal @ Potchefstroom //t.co/xSkNoGVUXT

�?Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) February 4, 2020

So wonderful to see the composure of young Yashaswi Jaiswal and the relentlessness of the bowlers to just not let the opposition get away. A very easy win for India and a 3rd Successive World Cup Final appearance. Best wishes to the boys for the big finals #INDvsPAK pic.twitter.com/VUyaBR9i6j

�?VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) February 4, 2020

Some serious swag this from Yashasvi Jaiswal. These Under 19 boys are something else. One-sided. #INDU19VSPAKU19

�?Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) February 4, 2020

India has reached its 7th #U19CWC final!
This is India U19's ninth consecutive victory against all opponents - all in 2020.
Their 11th match win in a row in #U19WorldCup
Their fifth victory in a row over Pakistan U19 since Jan 2014!#INDvPAK #PAKvIND#U19WC2020#INDU19vPakU19

�?Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) February 4, 2020

From living in a tent and selling paani puri to playing as an opener for India Under 19 and leading the team’s charge into the final of the World Cup, Yashwasvi Jaiswal is turning out to be remarkable story of young talent finding its way to the top in India despite handicaps

�?Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) February 4, 2020

Yashasvi Jaiswal. Special player. #IndvPak #U19WorldCup

�?Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) February 4, 2020

Feature image courtesy: Twitter / @cricketworldcup

India stretched their consecutive wins in under-19 World Cups against Pakistan to four as they beat the arch-rivals in the semi-finals of the ICC Under-19 World Cup in Potchefstroom on Tuesday. With this win, India and Pakistan now have five wins apiece in under-19 World Cups with India winning each of the last four. The bullish 10-wicket victory had several moments of dominance from India and here we take a glance at the factors that helped them be as good as they were. 

A bullying pace attack

Kartik Tyagi and Sushant Mishra delivered a crunching opening spell that set the tone for the semi-final clash. While Mishra was short and threatening, Tyagi tested the outside edge of the batsmen with consistent line and length. The Indian pacers had been as impressive as Pakistan's own pacers in the tournament. While Pakistan's pacers had 28 wickets in comparison to India's 19 this tournament, the averages were almost identical and India showcased their pace bowling strength by pushing Pakistan onto the back-foot with big blows early on. Mohammad Huraira was done in by Sushant Mishra while Fahad Munir was forced into a shell by the pacers with leggie Ravi Bishnoi reaping the benefits. 

The spinners and Pakistan's familiar batting fumbles 

India's spinners have been impressive in the tournament. Ravi Bishnoi and Atharva Ankolekar have tied up batsmen in the middle-overs and they did the same in this fixture as well. Even when Pakistan were re-building through Haider Ali and skipper Rohail Nazir, India found ways to keep the run-rate in check forcing the Pakistan batsmen to take risks to break the shackles. India cleverly pushed Jaiswal's leg-breaks at this point and Pakistan, seeing an opportunity to attack, tried to take him on only to lose a big wicket. Like with Pakistan's senior side, the juniors too found a way to mess up their middle-order as a run-out, with both batsmen ending on the same side,  further dented their chances in the game. 

Yashasvi Jaiswal and his sound partner 

Since the end of the last under-19 World Cup, India's opening pair of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Divyaansh Saxena has scored the second most partnership runs behind Sri Lanka's opening pair despite playing 11 matches lesser than the Sri Lankans. Jaiswal and Saxena have put on 678 runs in 9 matches at an average of 96.85 (the best for any opening pair in this phase with at least 150 runs together). They have had four century partnerships, converting four of their five fifty-plus stands to century stands. None of the other three stands were as good as the unbroken 176 partnership at the top against Pakistan on Tuesday. Even if the target was small, India had to get off to a good start and the openers ensured the middle-order wouldn't even come into play as they pushed past a hapless Pakistan unit to take India to their second successive final in two youth World Cups. 

Feature image courtesy: Twitter/ @cricketworldcup

The true gentlemen of the gentlemen’s game!

Can the New Zealand cricket team can any better? Now, everyone’s aware of how Kane Williamson and his men set the bar of the spirit of the game high during the World Cup in England last year. This year, the country’s U-19 team, plying their trade in the U-19 World Cup in South Africa, carried the torch with an exquisite gesture during their quarter-final game against the West Indies.

West Indies�?Kirk McKenzie, having previously retired hurt in the 43^rd over, returned to the field during the need of the hour and was dismissed on 99 by Kristian Clarke in the 48th over. Muscle cramps got the better of him as the 19-year-old found it difficult to even return to the dugout. The likes of Jesse Tashkoff and Joseph Field came to the rescue by lifting McKenzie off the field.

An outstanding show of sportsmanship earlier today in the game between West Indies and New Zealand #U19CWC | #SpiritOfCricket | #FutureStars pic.twitter.com/UAl1G37pKj

�?Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) January 29, 2020

The gestures earned several accolades, and even Rohit Sharma, who hit the winning six in the Super over against New Zealand on Wednesday, hailed the sportsmanship.

So good to see this #SpiritOfCricket at its best. //t.co/qzUZjEuRt5

�?Rohit Sharma (@ImRo45) January 30, 2020

Authentic example //t.co/34axpzy37J

�?Brendon McCullum (@Bazmccullum) January 30, 2020

Fantastic work lads! Great to see //t.co/PixqWobgNf

�?Jimmy Neesham (@JimmyNeesh) January 29, 2020

As far as the game is concerned, West Indies posted 238 on board, and a brilliant bowling effort soon put the Kiwis in a state of bother. Losing wickets in quick succession, they were reduced to 153/8, and this is when Kristian Clarke decided to take matters in his own hand. Coming in at No. 10, Clarke �?who picked four wickets with the bowl �?scored an unbeaten 46 off 42 deliveries and played an impeccable 86-run stand with Joey Field to guide his team to glory.

Feature image courtesy: Twitter / @cricketworldcup

It was a huge night for India's under-19 side in South Africa as they thumped their Australian counterparts in the Super League quarterfinals at Potchefstroom. Favorites to retain the World title from 2018, India had an early challenge in the knockout phase as they ran into a pretty strong Aussie outfit. However, much like in the 2012 and 2018 finals of the same tournament, the Indian colts emerged on top on Tuesday night.

The standout factors in the win for the India under-19 side was also a lesson for India's senior side.

Rebuilding from a collapse

Remember when India were 5/3 in the World Cup semi-final at Manchester in 2019? Chasing 240 for victory, Virat Kohli's men got stuck in a rut at five for three and later 24/4 and never really quite recovered. Rebuilding from a collapse in crunch games has been a skill the senior side has sorely lacked.

But the colts put up an exhibition on exactly how to do that at Senwes Park on Tuesday. At 54 for 3, India were in a spot of bother but Yashasvi Jaiswal and Dhruv Jurel rebuilt a bit before Jaiswal was dismissed. Later in the innings, the lower order stepped up with Atharva Ankolekar and Ravi Bishnoi guiding India to a total of respectability. Every single batsman from position 5-8 faced over 30 balls to help in the rebuild process, underlining that coming back from a collapse has always got to be a team effort.

Australia are now 19/4 after 3 overs!

Kartik Tyagi has his third wicket, Yashasvi Jaiswal taking a very smart catch in the slips #U19CWC | #INDvAUS | #FutureStars pic.twitter.com/3F8QZluc9b

�?Extra Pace (@Extra_Pace) January 28, 2020

Striking back early

If there's one thing the colts have shown this World Cup, it is that striking with the new ball is a huge advantage, especially in big games. Kartik Tyagi embodied the spirit of the India youth side as he rushed some of the best under-19 batsmen in the tournament with his skills. At 17 for four and later 68 for five, Australia were forced into a shell, a pre-requisite to win matches if you are defending low totals.

India's senior side have had trouble being as bullish in big matches and it has seen them struggle to nail knockout matches. Since the 2013 Champions Trophy triumph, India's senior side do not have a title win in ICC tournaments.

The all-round bowling effort

Ever felt India's senior side are too reliant on Jasprit Bumrah in ODIs and T20Is? The exceptional limited-overs bowler has covered up for the likes of Khaleel Ahmed and Shardul Thakur with his irresistible consistency with the ball in hand. But what happens when he has an off-day or is out injured? India mostly struggle to contain the opposition is the simple answer.

The colts have shown that depending on a whole bunch of bowlers rather than on one bowler. Ravi Bishnoi and Kartik Tyagi have 11 and 9 wickets in this tournament so far while Akash Singh has 7. Ankolekar has picked up three wickets in two matches. There are two Indians among the top five wicket-takers in this tournament and the other bowlers aren't too far behind, suggesting that they work as a pack.

Against the Aussies, each of India's six bowlers used went at an economy of less than six, turning the pressure on the Aussies. Three of them shared the spoils on the wickets column, and the fielders backed up the bowlers with two run-outs. An all-round show in the second innings helped the defending champions surge to the semi-finals after being pushed to a corner in the first innings. That, if anything, is something the senior side can take cue from.

Feature image courtesy: Twitter/ @cricketworldcup

The U19 World Cup in South Africa saw a new, unlikely entrant for 2020, with Japan playing in that competition for the first time. The Asian side made a flimsy start to the competition, as they were bundled out for just 41 runs against India, with the champions chasing down that total within five overs.

Japan’s limited cricketing prowess was visible for all to see in that game, as India cruised to a convincing ten-wicket victory in what turned out to be a total mismatch of a contest. That game, however, shouldn’t have happened only, as Japan only qualified for the U19 World Cup as their group toppers Papua New Guinea (PNG) were guilty of the petty crime of shoplifting and were therefore debarred from participating in the competition.

After winning their games against Samoa, Fiji and Vanuatu, the Papua New Guinea cricket team travelled to Japan for their final group game. However, that game never took place as PNG suspended 11 out of the 14 players for “for internal disciplinary reasons and failing to adhere to strict codes of conduct.�?/p>

That disciplinary reason was later revealed to be shoplifting, where those 11 players were caught for robbing stores and shoplifting. They were only released after diplomatic talks were held between the two countries. The match between the two teams was awarded to Japan.

The reprimanded PNG U19 players were handed bans and fines, with their parents being cautioned about the incident. “They were caught doing some stealing, which is a no-crime policy in Japan. It’s not as bad as people said but our point of view, my point of view and the board’s point of view are it doesn’t matter whether it’s one item or 10 items �?it’s the same crime,�?Cricket PNG Chief Executive Officer Greg Campbell had said in a released statement.

Japan’s U19 team play their next World Cup game on Saturday (January 25) against Sri Lanka.

Feature image: Twitter/ @CricketJapan