Indian Youth derail the Proteas to start their U19 World Campaign on a victorious note

The young guns of India started their U19 World Cup campaign with a rollicking victory over the Proteas that may very well serve as the prelude to the campaign.

Despite a batting scare, the Indian bowlers pulled off a stellar display to help the team back on its feet. India had an early scare as it lost both of its openers early.

Both Angkrish Raghuvanshi and Harnoor Singh were shown the exit as Mnyanda dealt a double-blow to the Indian batting lineup. Shaik Rasheed and skipper Yash Dhull took over the mantle from there and played out a fine stand to chip in with the initial overhaul.

Rasheed was removed for 31 as Alder outwitted him with a peach. Nishant Sadhu stitched together another valuable cameo to aid the skipper in his attempt to stabilise India’s ship.

Dhull continued with his charge as the wickets fell regularly at the other end with decent displays from Raj Bawa and Kaushal Tambe that helped India rack up a fighting total. India were bundled out for 232 as Matthew Boast managed to claim three crucial wickets that was aptly complemented by Aphiwe Mnyada and Dewald Brewis as the duo plundered four wickets between them.

The Indian bowlers had their task cut out as South Africa bragged of a resilient batting attack and the total seemed well in reach of the Proteas.

However, thanks to the Indian bowlers, they never let their African counterparts settle as wickets kept tumbling at regular intervals. Rajvardhan Hangargekar started with the cavalcade as he removed Elton John-Cunningham with an absolute jaffa.

Valentine Kitime and Dewald Brevis stitched together a decent stand that sparked an immediate threat, with the duo running away with the game. The star of the match, Vicky Ostwal breached the stand of Kitime and Brevis as he produced a much-important nick off the former.

Ostwal was breathing fire as his next victim was Gerhardus Maree, emulating the dismissal of Kitime in very close lockstep. The South African skipper stitched the last bit of resistance alongside a fighting Brevis.

However, it didn’t take India long to snuff out their last bit of resilience as Ostwal was riding piping hot on the tail of the retreating Proteas while Raj Bawa provided the much-needed pressure from the other end.

India managed to skittle out the South African youth for a modest 187 as the duo of Bawa and Ostwal shared nine scalps between them, leaving South Africa short of the total.

Ostwal was adjudged as the man of the match for his crucial fifer while Yash Dhull led the charge from the front with the blade in his hand.

India will be up against Ireland next on the 19th of January as the fixture is slated to take place at Tarouba. India will have to be careful with their batting as their bowlers will need more on the cards to defend. Their bowling, however, will continue to be the shining beacon of hope as they advance in the tournament.