U-19 World Cup: India Beat New Zealand To Set-Up Quarter-Final Clash With Australia

India Friday beat New Zealand by 44 runs in their final group A League match to set-up a quarter-final clash with Australia in the ICC U-19 World Cup at Bloemfontein. Batting first, India scored 115 for no loss in 23 overs before rain stopped play. Yashasvi Jaiswal (57) and Divyansh Saxena (52) struck unbeaten half-centuries and were on the crease when the rain played spoilsport.

The play resumed after a long break and New Zealand was given 193-run target as per revised Duckworth Lewis Stern (DLS) method. After a quick start, the Kiwis lost their way and were bowled out for 147 in 21 overs.

Ravi Bishnoi, a Rs 2 crore buy for Kings XI Punjab, is fast turning out to be the biggest star in the junior line-up with his variation and control. He bowled googlies, sliders and top-spinners to end with 4 for 30 from five overs as vice-captain Dhruv Jurel was fantastic behind the stumps with some neat glovework.

Left-arm orthodox Ankolekar, who played through pain with a fractured finger on his right hand, had figures of 3 for 28 in five overs with some accurate wicket-to-wicket bowling. This was after New Zealand No 3 Fergus Lellman hit him for two sixes off his first two deliveries.

India will now meet Australia in the Super League quarter-final at Potchfestroom on January 28. Indian Skipper Priyam Garg said that he was happy that they had a tough game against New Zealand before facing the Aussies in the quarters.

Brief Scores:

India U-19: 115/0 in 23 overs (Divyansh Saxena 52 no, Yashasvi Jaiswal 57 no).

New Zealand U-19: (DLS target 193 in 23 overs) (Ravi Bishnoi 4/30, Atharva Ankolekar 3/28).