India pulled off a close 9 run win against New Zealand to enter the final of the ICC Under-19 World Cup. Defending a modest total of 209, the Indian bowlers stuck to a tight line at all times, not letting the New Zealand batsmen off the hook. Needing 18 off last over, Sandeep Sharma kept his cool as he gave away only nine runs as India made it to summit clash.
Baba Aparajith got his second successive man-of-the-match award for a fine all-round show. He scored 44 before taking the important wicket of Robert O'Donell and finished with economical figures of 1/29. This is India U-19 team's fourth appearance in the final of the tournament having won the 2000 and 2008 editions while they were runners-up in 2006.
Although a target of 210 was never appeared a tall-order for the Kiwis, Aparajith and Harmeet Singh (2/30) stifled the set New Zealand pair of Cam Fletcher (53) and O'Donell (29) in the middle overs to set up the win for the Indians. The duo gave away only 59 runs in the 20 overs between them and also shared three wickets. They were excellent during the Batting Powerplay, giving away only 14 runs in the five overs.
New Zealand suffered early setbacks in the chase, losing the first four wickets for 63 runs. The Carter-O'Donell duo then put on 56 runs for the fifth wicket to bring the Black Caps back on track. It looked as if New Zealand were cruising along towards victory before Harmeet-Aparajith applied brakes on scoring. Back to-back maidens in the 34th and 35th overs suddenly increased the pressure on the Kiwis, leading to the dismissal of O'Donell.
Fletcher, Connor Neynens (14) and Jacob Duffy (21*) tried their best to keep New Zealand in the hunt but their knocks were not sufficient as New Zealand ended up 10 short of the target with nine wickets down.
Indian bowlers have done a good job through out the tournament and even in this game the pace trio of Sandeep Sharma (2/36), Kamal Passi (1/48) and Ravi Kant Singh (2/49) complemented the effort of their spinners.
Earlier, the Indian middle order could not capitalize on the good start provided by the top three and ended up with a disappointing 209/9. Opener Prashant Chopra was the top-scorer for the Indian Colts with a patient 104-ball 52, followed by No 3 Aparajith who added 44 runs to the total. Skipper Unmukt Chand also did his bit with 31 runs off 44 deliveries but the rest of the line-up let the team down against a disciplined bowling effort by the New Zealand team. For the Black Caps, Ben Horne was the top wicket-taker, picking up three for 23 in six overs, while Matthew Quinn managed a couple of scalps.
The Indian openers managed to get the team off to a decent start as Unmukt and Prashant put on 51 runs for the first wicket before the former made his way back after becoming Connor Neynens' only victim of the match. Aparajith, who was the next man in, kept the scorecard ticking with a steady 81 run stand with Prashant before falling to Ed Nuttall.
Prashant went on to cross the half-century mark before his stay was ended by Ish Sodhi. The rest of the Indian line-up failed to make notable contributions as the Indians were restricted to what looked like a sub-par total.
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