In the final of the Under-19 World Cup, India completely outsmarted England to deliver one of the most authoritative performances in this level. Since the time the Indian batters had taken their ground, the game gradually slipped out of England.
The initial relationship was the groundwork, but the transition between the 15 th and 30 th overs was the real turning point in the game. India galloped in milestones with a very easy time indeed, losing 100 and 150 with total ease. Captain Ayush Mhatre began the innings with confidence and took the scoreboard rolling and fell short as the total reached 160.
What ensued was a show that was a re-write in the history of tournament. Sooryavanshi took the full control and charged every corner of the ground and the bowlers of England were compelled to take positions. His innings was not only about strength but also timing and sense so that India had overtaken 250 much before the last overs. When he had gone the contest was practically determined.
Even the loss of their main batter did not make India relax. The middle order resumed in the same spirit, and delivered strike and punishments on the loose. As the aggregate went over 300, the attention shifted to whether the end result would be a large number as opposed to whether India would enter a competitive score.
The last overs became a run-scoring extravagance. Rapid strokes at the death got India beyond the 400 mark, and left England with a target which demanded a remarkable pursuit.
The response of England never really proved to take root. A wicket at the beginning slowed the initial pace and despite some short periods resisting in the middle overs, the necessary run rate continued to go up. Any chance of a comeback was quashed by a sudden collapse. One of the batters bravely fought to the century, and made it against all odds, but the distance was too great.
India ultimately sealed the game effortlessly defeating the match by 100 runs and resulting in the Under-19 World Cup in resounding style. The last margin was not only a matter of individual glory, but it was a team performance which left no doubt over the champions.
