Yash Dull & co. will aim to add to India’s rich legacy at the Under-19 World Cup when they take on England at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua on Saturday in the summit clash. India have already won four trophies in 14 editions, and this will be their fourth in consecutive appearance the final.
India have already been tagged as favourites, despite having been humbled by Bangladesh in the final of the last edition. Considering England's unbeaten run in the competition, there should be no place for complacency in the Indian camp. Like India, England, too, are unbeaten so far in this World Cup, with captain Tom Prest scoring 292 runs at an average of 73. In fact, in batting both teams are equally matched with quality and depth.
This will be India's first outing at this venue. England, on the other hand, have beaten South Africa and Afghanistan here, in the quarter-final and semi-final respectively. This batting-friendly wicket here suits their gameplay, which they have emulated from Eoin Morgan's senior team. However, countering the Indian spinners will be a different challenge.
The Indian spinners have been marvellous throughout the tournament, and should keep the momentum going here. Their spinners have shared 26 wickets in five matches at an astounding average of 12.34.
Against an attacking batting line-up against England, the focus will be on bowling dot balls, as Dhull said in the pre-match press conference: 'Our approach against them will be to bowl as many dot balls as possible.'
The India batters will also need to be wary of attacking wrist-spinner Rehan Ahmed, who has taken 12 wickets in three matches at 9.91. There is also left-arm pacer Joshua Boyden, whose 13 wickets have come at 9.53.
England are playing an Under-19 World Cup final after 24 years. They would go all out to imitate the squad of 1998. Being the underdogs, also help them to play their game freely. India, who are chasing their fifth title, it will be about not allowing the occasion to get the better of them.
Likely XIs
India Under-19s: Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Harnoor Singh, Shaik Rasheed, Yash Dhull (c), Raj Bawa, Dinesh Bana (wk), Nishant Sindhu, Rajvardhan Hangargekar, Kaushal Tambe, Vicky Ostwal, Ravi Kumar
England Under-19s: George Thomas, Jacob Bethell, Tom Prest (c), James Rew, William Luxton, George Bell, Rehan Ahmed, Alex Horton (wk), Thomas Aspinwall, James Sales, Joshua Boyden
Fantasy tips
- The wicket here has favoured batters. Both captains would like to bat first and put runs on the board.
- The Indian spinners have called the shots in the middle overs, particularly against non-Asian teams. Expect the likes of Ostwal and Tambe to be impactful yet again. From England, do not forget to pick Rehan.
- Along with the usual batters like Dhull, Rasheed, Bethell and Prest, do go for utility options like Raghuvanshi and Bell.