Delhi Boys As Captains Are Lucky Charm For India, Says Sarandeep Singh

Former Indian selector Sarandeep Singh said that the Indian Colts are very hungry to win the ICC U19 World Cup.

The Indian Colts are through to the Super League semi-final stage after thrashing the Bangladesh U19 team by five wickets on Saturday.

India ended Bangladesh’s hopes to defend the U19 title as they were bowled out for 111 in the first innings.

Left-arm pacer Ravi Kumar picked three wickets to destabilise the Bangladesh batting order early in their innings. Kumar cleaned the stumps of Bangladesh opener Mahfijul Islam with a full inswinger in his first over.

He sent back the other opener Iftakher Hossain and P N Nabil in his initial spell as Bangladesh were reduced to 16 for 3 at the end of eight overs.

Left-arm spinner Vicky Ostwal picked a couple of wickets as Rajvardhan Hangargekar, Kaushal Tambe and Angkrish Raghuvanshi chipped in with one wicket each.

Despite India losing opener Harnoor Singh for a duck, Raghuvanshi made 44 from 65 balls and Dhull remained unbeaten on 20 as they chased the paltry score in 30.5 overs.

Too good of a performance from Under 19 players: Sarandeep Singh

Sarandeep applauded the youngsters for their top-notch performance and was in awe of the talent of Ravi Kumar.

“Too good of a performance from Under 19 players and the way they are batting and the way they are bowling. Looking at their aggression, it shows that they are very hungry and they want to win the World Cup and their performance is showing.

“Everyone is doing their job. Their batsmen are scoring runs. The fast bowlers with their bowling are getting wickets,” Sarandeep told news agency ANI.

“Pacer Ravi Kumar is a tall guy. The way he swings the ball with the ball going outside as well as swinging inside. He looks like a wicket-taker bowler. He always looks to take wickets.

“He is not the one to concentrate on pace. At the under 19 level, the youngsters bowl quick at 140-145 but this boy shows how talented he is. He is bowling quick. He is bowling in a good line. He is getting early breakthroughs for his team,” he added.

Delhi boys as captains are a lucky charm for India: Sarandeep Singh

India have already won four titles in this tournament with their last one coming under the leadership of Prithvi Shaw. India also won titles under the leadership of Mohammad Kaif (2004), Virat Kohli (2008) and Unmukt Chand (2012).

Yash Dhull, who is the current captain of the Indian U19 team, hails from India’s capital city New Delhi.

The former national selector pointed out that Delhi captains bring luck along with them and wants Dhull, who made 82 against South Africa in the opening match, to score a hundred in the final (if India makes their way).

“Delhi boys as captains are a lucky charm for India. What Virat Kohli and Unmukt Chand did as Under 19 captains. They contributed a lot. Unmukt Chand scored a century in the final. I hope Yash comes and plays a bigger knock in the semifinal,” Sarandeep mentioned.

“The legacy which is there should carry on and play better cricket against Australians because they are playing well and cricket has now also changed and be focused,” he added.

India U19 team will play against the Australia U19 team in the Super League semi-final 2 in Antigua.

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