Published: Feb 09, 2020, 07:50 AM (IST)
Edited: Feb 09, 2020, 10:53 AM (IST)
Defending champions India will eye a record fifth U-19 World Cup title on Sunday but will face a stiff challenge from Asian rivals Bangladesh in the summit clash.
India have the in-form opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, spinner Ravi Bishnoi and pacer Kartik Tyagi in the current edition which have made them overnight stars.
Irrespective of what happens in Sunday’s final, India have reinforced the fact that they are undisputed leaders at the under-19 level and the cricketing structure the BCCI has developed is working better than any other board in the world.
India, who walloped arch-rivals Pakistan by 10 wickets in the semifinal on Tuesday, will be playing their seventh final since 2000 when they lifted the trophy for the first time.
India probably is the only side which fields a fresh squad in every U-19 World Cup edition and since there is no dearth of talent and a proper structure is in place, the talent keeps coming up.
“The fact that we allow a cricketer to play the U-19 World Cup only once is a big reason behind the team’s success. While most teams have cricketers who have played in the previous edition,” India U-19 fielding coach Abhay Sharma told PTI from Potchefstroom.
“It just goes to show that the system under the visionary leadership of Rahul Dravid (NCA head) is flourishing. Credit to BCCI as well that other teams want to follow our structure.”
What: ICC U19 World Cup Final India vs Bangladesh
When: February 9, 2020
Where: Senwes Park, Potchefstroom (South Africa)
Time: 1.30 PM IST
On TV: Star Sports
LIVE Streaming: Hotstar
Weather: Will thunderstorms affect the final?
In the final, India run into Bangladesh, a team which too has reaped the benefits of meticulous planning since their quarterfinal loss at the 2018 edition.
Though the Priyam Garg-led Indian side got the better of them in the tri-series in England and Asia Cup last year, Bangladesh have always come up with a fight and fielding coach Sharma expects it would be no different on Sunday.
“They are a very good side. There is a lot of mutual respect. I can tell you that,” he said.
