Musheer Khan’s century followed by a clinical bowling display helped India beat Ireland by 201 runs in Under-19 World Cup 2024. India continued their dominance in Group A with another big win as Ireland's batters were not up for the chase and suffered a collapse. This is Ireland’s second-biggest defeat in the tournament’s history. With a comprehensive win, India are now assured a place in the Super Six stage of the tournament.
Earlier, Ireland skipper Phillippus le Roux won the toss and opted to field first. Indian openers got off to a cautious start. In the ninth over, Adarsh Singh hit two consecutive fours and then lost his wicket to John McNally. Arshin Kulkarni played himself in and then threw his wicket away as he mistimed the pull shot. Kulkarni fell to McNally for a 55-ball 32. Musheer and Uday Saharan rebuild the innings. India crossed the 100-run mark in the 27th over.
In the 34th over, Musheer reached his half-century from 66 balls. In the 37th over, McNally almost broke the partnership but Musheer's catch was dropped. Saharan played second fiddle and completed his half-century from 64 balls. Musheer accelerated and Ireland bowlers panicked. Finn Lutton bowled three no-balls in the 43rd over. The partnership was broken by Lutton in the 45th over. He scored 75 runs from 84 balls including five fours.
Aravelly Avanish came out all guns blazing and hit two consecutive fours. He reached his maiden century in the tournament from 100 balls. In the 48th over, Musheer's stay at the crease was cut short as he was run out in an attempt to take the second run. His 106-ball 118 featured nine fours and four sixes. In the same over Avanish departed after a 13-ball 22 cameo. In the final over, Sachin Dhas hit two fours and a six. Ireland's fielder faltered and dropped the catch on the boundary. On the final two balls, Oliver Riley got the wickets of Priyanshu Moliya and Murugan Abhishek. India posted a big total of 301/7.
In the run chase, Ireland lost their first wicket in the sixth over. He got bowled for a 19-ball 11 by Saumy Pandey. In the ninth over, Naman Tiwari struck twice to dismiss Ryan Hunter and Roux. In his next over, Tiwari got the wicket of Scott MacBeth. Then Pandey got Macdara Cosgrave stumped as Ireland lost half the side for 41 in the 12th over.
In the 13th over, Dhanush Gowda joined the party as McNally was dismissed for an eight-ball duck. Pandey made it worse for Ireland by trapping Carson McCullough in front of the stumps. It turned worse for Ireland when Tiwari returned and got the wicket of Kian Hilton. Riley and Daniel Forkin prevented Ireland from registering their lowest score in the tournament's history. Murugan Abhishek ended Riley's resistance in the 24th over. In the 30th over, Saharan got the last wicket as Ireland were bowled out for 100 and lost the match by 201 runs.
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