ICC Under-19 World Cup Final Preview: Australia and India face-off for the spoils

The ICC Under-19 World Cup commenced on the 13th of March and became a witness to several jaw-dropping encounters between the oppositions. While there have been some one-sided affairs the teams have enthralled the viewers with some nail-biting encounters. However, after the all the all the league games and knock-out matches, the tournament boils down to the ultimate showdown.

India and Australia will lock horns for the Final of the tournament on the 3rd of February at Mount Maunganui. India has been clinical throughout the tournament have remained unbeaten with five wins on the trot. Australia, on the contrary, started their campaign with a defeat but stormed back to roll over oppositions with ease.

Both teams clashed in their respective opening games in the same venue at Tauranga where the Indians managed to humble the Kangaroos by a mammoth margin of 100 runs. Going into the all-important game, while Australia will be looking to avenge their defeat, India will wish to lift the title and finish unbeaten in the prestigious tournament.

Playing Combination  

India

India is highly unlikely to alter their playing XI ahead of their clash against Jason Sangha’s boys. Prithvi Shaw and Manjot Kalra will open the batting for India. Shubman Gill again needs to step up for India in the middle-order. Abhishek Sharma’s finishing touches have propelled India’s score in some games and he will need to replicate the same form in the Final.

In the bowling department, the likes of Shivam Mavi and Kamlesh Nagarkoti have grabbed headlines in their opening game with their raw. Ishan Porel’s form will also be crucial for India. The spin department remains more or less the same with Anukul Roy, Riyan Parag, Shiva Singh and Abhishek Sharma choking oppositions through immaculate line and lengths.

Probable XI

Prithvi Shaw (capt), Manjot Kalra, Shubman Gill, Harvik Desai (wkt), Riyan Parag, Abhishek Sharma, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Anukul Roy, Shivam Mavi, Shiva Singh, Ishan Porel

Australia

The Kangaroos have thumped Afghanistan in the semi-final at Christchurch and will look to replicate their form in the Final. Nathan McSweeney and Jack Edwards have been stupendous with the willow for Australia. Skipper Jason Sangha and Chandigarh-born Param Uppal also need to fire for Australia to topple the sub-continent giant.

The bowling has the likes of Jonathan Merlo and leg-spinner Lloyd Pope who have strangled oppositions with their guile and trajectory. Pope dished out an exemplary spell against England in the Quarter-Final and needs to bring forth his A-game in the last encounter of the tournament.

Probable XI

Jack Edwards, Max Bryant, Jason Sangha (capt), Jonathan Merlo, Param Uppal, Nathan McSweeney, Will Sutherland, Baxter Holt (wk), Zak Evans, Ryan Hadley, Lloyd Pope

Head to Head Record

Overall

Played- 34, India- 20, Australia- 14, Tied/No-result- 0

World Cups

Played 5, India- 3, Australia- 2, Tied/No-result- 0

Focus will be on

India- Kamlesh Nagarkoti

Kamlesh Nagarkoti burst on to the scene in India’s opening game against the same opposition at Mount Maunganui. He clocked over 140kmph almost everytime and ratted their batsmen. The fast-bowler thereafter carried forward his form deep into the tournament. It won’t spring a surprise if he again manages to wreak havoc in the Aussie batting lineup

Australia- Lloyd Pope

Lloyd Pope, the wily leg-break bowler has been outstanding for Australia in the ongoing tournament. He is one of the primary reasons why Australia are in the threshold of lifting the cup. He dragged Australia out of the pits against England and snatched victory for his team from the jaws of victory. Indians are excellent players of spin and Pope will have a task on his hands to restrict the might of the Indian batters.

Broadcast details

Timings: 6:15 am IST

TV: Star Sports 1, Star Sports 1 HD

Online: Hotstar