The Indian under-19 cricket team’s quest for an unprecedented fourth World Cup title ended in disaster on Sunday as the West Indies out-witted the Rahul Dravid -coached side by five wickets in a tense summit clash to clinch the coveted trophy for the first time since its inception.
Put in to bat by the Caribbeans on a green-top amid overcast conditions, the script went completely awry for the Indians, who were dismissed for 145 in 45.1 overs with Sarfaraz Khan’s 89-ball 51 being the only noteworthy contribution.
In reply, the West Indies made heavy weather of the chase in a slow-moving but thrilling match to overhaul the score in 49.3 overs.
The heroes for West Indies were Man of the Match Keacy Carty (52 n.o. off 125 ball) and Keemo Paul (40 n.o. off 68 balls) both of whom kept their cool in the high-pressure game to take their side home.
Chasing the modest target, the Caribbeans were not off to the best of starts as both their openers — Gifron Pope (3) and Tevin Imlach (15) — were dismissed with just 28 runs on the board.
Skipper Shimron Hetmyer (23) and Carty then put together a 39-run third-wicket stand to steady the rocking boat.
However, left-arm spinner Mayank Dagar gave India the much-needed breakthrough when he got Hetmyer caught at long on by Armaan Jaffer.
While wickets were tumbling around him, Carty kept his cool to plough on even though the scoring rate was painfully slow.
Proceedings livened up when Carty was joined by Paul. The 17-year-old Paul pushed hard for his singles and it was his six off Dagar which broke the shackles for West Indies.
The Indian bowlers led by Dagar (3/25) were saddled with the tough task of defending a paltry total and they did a decent job for most part of the match but eventually it was not to be enough.
The Indian fielders were also guilty of spilling a few good chances, which could have tilted the match in their team’s favour.
Earlier, the Indian batsmen faltered when it mattered the most. Sarfaraz was the lone exception as he saved India the embarrassment of being bowled out for below 100 with a fifth fifty plus score in six innings, also making him only one to score most half centuries (7) in the history of the tournament.
Alzarri Joseph (3/39) ran through top order before Ryan John (3/38) landed crucial blows for West Indies.
score board
INDIA: Rishabh Pant st Imlach b Joseph 1, Ishan Kishan lbw Joseph 4, Anmolpreet Singh c Imlach b Joseph 3, Washington Sundar c Joseph b John 7, Sarfaraz Khan lbw John 51, Armaan Jaffer c Paul b Springer 5, Mahipal Lomror c Imlach b Holder 19, Mayank Dagar c Carty b John 8, Rahul Batham c Imlach b Paul 21, Avesh Khan c John b Paul 1, Khaleel Ahmed (not out) 2. Extras (B-2, LB-5, W-16) 23. Total (all out; 45.1 overs) 145.
Fall of wickets: 1-3, 2-8, 3-27, 4-41, 5-50, 6-87, 7-116, 8-120, 9-123.
Bowling: Alzarri Joseph 10-0-39-3, Chemar Holder 10-2-20-1, Ryan John 10-0-38-3, Shamar Springer 9-1-24-1, Keemo Paul 6.1-0-17-2.
WEST INDIA: Gidron Pope c Ahmed b Avesh 3, Tevin Imlach c Lomror b Ahmed 15, Shimron Hetmyer c Armaan b Dagar 23, Keacy Carty (not out) 52, Shamar Springer c Armaan b Dagar 3, Jyd Goolie c & b Dagar 3, Keemo Paul (not out) 40. Extras (LB-1, W-6) 7. Total (for 5 wkts; 49.3 overs) 146.
Fall of wickets: 1-5, 2-28, 3-67, 4-71, 5-77.
Bowling: Avesh Khan 10-1-29-1, Khaleel Ahmed 9.3-2-32-1, Washington Sundar 9-1-18-0, Rahul Batham 3-0-12-0, Mahipal Lomror 8-0-29-0, Mayank Dagar 10-1-25-3.
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