ICC U-19 World Cup 2018: Yuvraj Singh's Not Surprised by India's Domination Over Pakistan in Semifinal

Continuing their red-hot form, India blew away Pakistan in the second semifinal to storm into the final of the Under-19 World Cup.

It was yet another clinical performance from Prithvi Shaw & Co. as they dismantled Pakistan by a huge margin of 203 runs to set up a clash with Australia in the final.

Opting to bat first, India rode on Shubman Gill’s unbeaten 102-run knock to post a competitive 272 for nine in the allotted 50 overs. Openers Prithvi Shaw and Manjot Kalra gave India a solid start by adding 89 runs for the first wicket before the skipper was run out for 41. Five runs later, Muhammad Musa ended Kalra’s knock for 47 to bring back Pakistan in the game.

Gill and Harvik Desai then steadied the ship with a 54-run stand before Pakistan clawed its way back in the game by dismissing Desai (20), Riyan Parag (2), Abhishek Sharma (5) in quick succession to reduce India to 165 for five from 148 for two.

India’s middle and lower-order batsmen failed to get going, but Gill held firm from one end and scored his first century of the tournament to steer India to a big total.

In reply, Pakistan’s batsmen fell like a pack of cards, as they were bowled out for a paltry 69. Right from the start to the end, they never looked in contention to get even close to India’s total let alone chasing it down.

Ishan Porel was the pick of the bowler taking four for 17 while Shiva Singh and Rayan Parag picked up two wickets apiece.

The team’s stunning domination in the World Cup has surprised many, but Yuvraj Singh is not one of them. Congratulating the team and Shubman Gill for the performance in the semifinal, Yuvraj said the performances had not surprised them since the talented players are coached by none other than the legendary Rahul Dravid.

“Congratulations to India u19 boys for making it to the finals and to shubman gill on a special ton ! No surprises with so much talent and legendary player and coach taking the team forward??” wrote Yuvraj who was a part of the team that won India’s first U-19 World Cup in 2000.

Congratulations to India u19 boys for making it to the finals and to shubman gill on a special ton ! No surprises with so much talent and legendary player and coach taking the team forward ??

— Yuvraj Singh (@YUVSTRONG12) January 30, 2018