The U 19 World cup 2020 - 50 Over format

I have said this before .  I watch these matches with great interest .  This is the tournament  from where the likes of Virat Kohli, Kane Williamson , Rabada , Eoin Morgan and other stars emerge and  give a clear indication of where they are destined . So this year it was no different.  Followed the matches and also the Indian colts very closely

India was the favorite and defending Champion. Easy matches through the league and the Quarter final and then the semifinal was against favorites – Yes of Course Pakistan , India came through quite easily . One important fact was that they bowled out all of their opponents till the final . And that was extremely creditable. Batting relied mostly on the top order and the middle order was suspect and that proved India losingt in the final.

Bangladesh was the surprise packet . They came through the other half , quite efficiently and made people notice them. One could see that they wanted to win the title and they were all around in their efforts. In the semis against the Kiwis , they chased down a tough target with great confidence. The Indian team should have watched the intensity with which they chased the total . They may have been better prepared for the final if they did watch them.

The final itself was a intense and high quality match . Electing to field, the Bangla Cubs had the Indian batters on their toes and fielding was top notch. Yet Yashaswi Jaiswal ( Player of the tournament ) played with admirable maturity and hung on and moved India ahead. But the middle order which I had said was a suspect came a cropper and India made a total that was something that could be chased down . A total of 177 out of which Yashaswi made 88 reflects the dependence on him !

Bangla got off to a great start but Bishnoi the so called Leg spinner who bowls more googlies rather than leg breaks , bowled an intense spell that brought India back in to the game . But a potential error in taking him off after continuous spell of seven overs and not allowing him to complete his quota of ten overs at a stretch probably cost India the match . Kartik Tyagi who was the go to man in all other matches, could not deliver with tickets although he did bowl well. Bangla skipper Akbar Ali shepherded his team with great patience , calmness and sense of belief. There you go , that was a MSDhoni act. Watch out for this guy and no surprises, he is a wicket keeper as well.   The Indian bowling was also wayward and not tight giving away 33 extras out which they were 19 wides ( that is three extra overs in a low scoring game ) . The better team deservedly won the trophy

Some Snippets

Japan , UAE , Scotland , Nigeria , Canada also qualified and played in this edition . Nothing to shout about these teams.. They were bunnies for the other teams !

Pakistan does have its bowling line up of fast bowlers. It is amazing how they continue to grow and nurture fast bowlers. The Youngsters all clock speed exceeding 140KMPH

West indies were a good unit . They somehow lost the plot to the Kiwis in the Quarterfinal after holding the aces through the match

Host South Africa was a disappointment to the locals. They ended up 8^th

Surprisingly England and Australia did not make major impact _-

For India :

Yashaswi Jaiswal was the star. He could do no wrong . Batting , fielding and bowling his part time leg spin with great confidence . Knowing his background , his climb up the ladder has been phenomenal and will inspire many. I am sure he will be up there playing for the Seniors soon

Kartik Tyagi – he clocked speeds past 140KMPH with ease and will be one to watch out. If the last edition produced Shivam Mavi and Kamlesh Nagarkoti as rising stars of pace bowling, things to learn from their career post the tournament is to learn how to keep yourself injury free. Kartik needs to take care of himself . Very bright  prospect capable of moving the ball both ways at good pace. Picked up by Rajasthan Royals at  INR 1.30 crore

Priyam Garg – he was let down at the tournament . He is a bright prospect. Sunrisers have picked him for  INR 1.90 Crs !

Ravi Bishnoi – the leggie who bowls googlies . he has to learn the art . At the higher levels , he will be sorted out unless he betters his wares . Picked up by Kings XI  at  INR 2 Crores , he needs time with Anil Kumble

One player that probably could not do well was Atharva Ankolkar ( he had a fracture of his fingers in his non bowling hand ) – He could have been a influence in the final as well

All the above players come from very humble backgrounds and have worked their way to where they are today. Yashaswi selling Paani Poori and sleeping in the groundman tent in Mumbai to make his ends met is out there is the social media . Kartik comes from an agriculture background and had no roots to cricket . hard toil was the only mantra , Atharva’s mother is a bus conductor in the BEST , Mumbai helping him in his cricketing career. All these guys have found very good mentors who have groomed them so well

The one familiar face that I did miss with the Indian team was Rahul Dravid . None to match his calmness and assured approach and the way he grooms the youngsters. Not that Paras Mhambrey did a bad job. It is just that Dravid is Dravid  !

The World T 20 beckons !