Four-time champions India have started on a sensational note in the U-19 World Cup by inflicting a 45-run defeat on South Africa. A fifer from Pune-born Vicky Ostwal saw Team India make a remarkable comeback, scalping the last seven wickets in just 49 runs to get off the mark. The win sees India go top of the table in Group B, but it is still early days.
Captain Dhull steadies the ship after poor start
The encounter played at the Providence Park in Guyana saw South Africa U-19 team captain George Van Heerden win the toss and elect to bowl. After a disappointing start to the match, losing both openers early, captain Yash Dhull and 17-year-old Shaik Rasheed steadied the ship. At 11/2 in just five overs, Dhull alongside Rasheed (31 off 54 deliveries) put together a third-wicket stand of 71 runs, highest in the innings.
Captain Dhull held one end firmly, but Team India lost wickets consistently at the other end. Dhull was a victim of poor judgment in the 39th over as the mix-up resulted in him getting run-out for a well-made 82 off 100 deliveries as the Indian team ended at 232 in 46.5 overs. In the bowling department, Matthew Boast (3), Aphwie Mnyanda and Dewald Brevis (both with two wickets) were the pick of the bowlers for the Proteas.
Positive start for India but South Africa comeback to dominate first 25 overs
The Asian U-19 champions started on a bright note when Rajvardhan Hanaregekar didn't take long to produce India's first breakthrough when he dismissed Ethan John Cunningham on the fourth ball of the every first over, he went without troubling the scorers. This joy though was short-lived when Valintine Kitime (25 off 33 deliveries) and Brevis (65 off 99 deliveries) put together a 58-run stand for the second wicket to see the Proteas make a comeback.
'Vicky Fantastic' and Raj Bawa guide India through
A stage for rising stars, India's Vicky Ostwal fired on all cylinders when he first broke the partnership to send Kitime packing home and then started to give a torrid time to the South African batting. Two wickets in the 39th over saw him destroy the Proteas defense as they lost control, losing seven wickets for just 49 runs. From 138/3 the entire team was dismissed for 187. Raj Bawa was also not sitting back in the bowling department as he scalped four wickets to see India start on a winning note.
After a bright start, The Men in Blue next take on Ireland on Wednesday (January 19) at the Brian Lara Stadium in Trinidad. Ireland also started their campaign with a win against Uganda by 39 runs. South Africa and Uganda will meet on Tuesday (January 18) in the other group B encounter.
