India U19 began their ICC U19 Cricket World Cup campaign in style with a comprehensive 79-run win over Ireland U19 on Thursday at the Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur. The Group D heavyweights led by Ishan Kishan recovered from 55-4 to post a challenging 268/9 before the strong bowling attack shot Ireland out for 189 in 49.1 overs.
Vital contributions from the lower order aided the 110-run partnership between Sarfaraz Khan 74 (70b, 7x4) and Washington Sundar 62 (71b, 3x4) in 104 balls as India made an excellent recovery after the initial setbacks. The Indian new ball bowlers Avesh Khan (2/24) and Khaleel Ahmed were brilliant upfront. The two repeatedly beat the Irish batsmen outside the off stump. The Indian fielders displayed urgency in the field resulting in two run-outs. Both Armaan Jaffer and Kishan hit the stumps as Irish openers Jack Tector and Stephen Doheny returned back for single-digit scores.
First change Rahul Batham, who gave away only four from his first two overs, struck twice in his next two to leave Ireland reeling at 46-4. Struggling to match the rising run-rate, Ireland forged a 113-run stand for the fifth wicket, but once William McClintock was back for 58, the match was firmly in India’s grasp. While the Indian spinners, Zeeshan Ansari and Mahipal Lomror, kept it tight, the fast bowlers stood out with their efforts on a sluggish pitch. Khan, Ahmed and Batham jointly bowled 123 dot balls from their 27 overs.
Earlier, India’s batting reserves were severely tested by the Irish bowlers. Put into bat, the Irish bowlers kept a nagging line. The top-order struggled before Sarfaraz and Sundar got India out of trouble.
Ireland struck the first blow in opening over when Kishan edged Joshua Little’s third ball to the keeper Lorcan Tucker. His opening partner Rishab Pant was the next to go for six as India lost their second wicket for 46 on the board. India were pushed on the back foot when Ireland removed a well-set Ricky Bhui (39 off 54) and Armaan Jaffer (4) for just nine more runs. Walking in to bat at No.6, Sundar proved to be an ideal foil for Sarfaraz as the two played cautiously.
The Indian dugout that had a worried looked after the initial burst, wore a calmer look as the two raised a 50-run stand. Sarfaraz also got to his individual fifty in 54 balls as India moved ahead. The left-right combination seemed to bother Ireland as both Sarfaraz and Sundar looked untroubled. The two soon brought up the 100-run stand for the fifth wicket at almost a run-a-ball.
Sarfaraz, who had curbed his attacking instincts early on and played a matured knock, was incidentally a victim of aggression. He danced down the track to Harry Tector on the first ball after the drinks break, but missed the line and was out stumped. With Sarfaraz falling with 165 on the board, there was a danger of India getting bowled out inside the 200-run mark. However, the lower middle-order proved they can contribute when needed with Lomror making 17 and Ansari scoring 36 off 36 balls to take India to a very competitive total. Sundar, who brought up his fifty in 61 balls, was out in the 46th over while looking to clear the infield. India will now face New Zealand on Saturday.
