Rain and lightning could not prevent India from huffing and puffing their way to a six-wicket victory via the DLS method over USA in their opening game of the ICC Under-19 World Cup in Bulawayo on Thursday.
When the game began, no one gave USA, which is led by Utkarsh Srivastava, a chance against the mighty Indians, who are five-time champions in the tournament. The game went according to script when USA chose to bat first. But the match was interrupted by both rain and lightning for over two hours when India were batting. However, India successfully navigated a drama-filled chase to start their campaign on a high.
Nine players made their Youth ODI debut for USA in the game. The only ones who had played earlier were skipper Srivastava and Amogh Arepally. But the inexperienced team still gave their fancied rivals quite a scare on the field.
Chasing down a modest target of 108, India began steadily before the big-hitting Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (2) was bowled by Ritvik Appidi, dragging a length ball onto his stumps while attempting a drive. A lengthy delay followed, resulting in a revised target of 96 runs from 37 overs.
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After the game resumed, there was plenty of drama as the USA surged back into the contest by removing Vedant Trivedi (2) and skipper Ayush Mhatre (19) in quick succession, leaving the five-time champions reeling at 25/3. However, Vihaan Malhotra (18) and Abhigyan Kundu kept the innings going with tremendous tenacity, despite the moist conditions and drizzle. While Malhotra departed to a brilliantly flighted delivery from Srivastava, Kundu (42 not out) grabbed control, scoring an authoritative 42 off 41 balls to lead India home.
“Yeah, there were some nerves because they bowled really well and hit good areas. We could have batted better, but it’s part of the game,” said India skipper Mhatre. “Our bowling was really good. The bowlers read the conditions well and stuck to simple lengths. They just hit the right spots consistently.
“There will always be expectations because representing India is such a proud moment for us. In such a big country, we are honored to be here. We will just try our best to play our game throughout this World Cup,” he added.
Despite an early dropped chance of Mhatre and a missed run-out opportunity of Malhotra in the 11th over, the United States, who are coached by former Andhra cricketer Vincent Vinay Kumar, can be encouraged by their spirited fielding performance.
Though the tournament is still in its early stages, their bowling performance and flashes of brilliance on the field should provide a lift to their morale in the remaining group games. Appidi finished with two wickets, while Srivastava and Rishabh Shampi claimed one each.
India pacer Patel proves unplayable, bags five wickets
Earlier, USA batters failed to negotiate the Indian bowlers, especially Henil Patel. Patel struck the first blow in the second over as he got rid of Amrinder Gill (1) and though Sahil Garg (16) and Arjun Mahesh (16) tried to steady the innings with a 28-run stand it was not to be so.
Deepesh Devendran broke the partnership and soon USA were in the dumps as they were reduced to 39 for five. A 30-run stand for the sixth wicket between Adnit Jhamb (18) and Nitish Sudini, who topscored with 36, ensured that USA would at least cross the 100-run mark. Nitish was the last man to fall as USA were bundled out for 107 in 35.2 overs.
Patel finished with figures of five for 16 in his seven overs. “Conditions were normal but I was getting some swing, so I thought of putting the length a bit in front and look for results from there,” said Patel, who added that South African pacer Dale Steyn was his favourite bowler. “I like his aggression. I had some help with the new ball but kept it full then. I thought I could drop my length a little once I realised the pitch was flat.”
On why he chose to bat first, Srivastava said: Our strength has always been to bat first, put up a big total, and defend it. When we looked at the pitch, it appeared pretty hard, so that was our reading of the surface.
“I think it was just the first hour and a half. The ball was swinging a bit, and we didn’t read the conditions correctly. We were poking at deliveries outside off-stump. If we had played smarter cricket, we would have posted a much better total,” he said after the match.
On troubling the Indians, he said: “We saw two left-handers at the crease, and we have two quality off-spinners in our team. The mindset was that we wanted to take wickets. I think we could have read the conditions a little better. We were also a bit nervous, but that won’t be there in the next game. We need to go out there and play freely rather than being restricted.”
On the celebrations of the team, he said: “That is our strength as well. We always want to win and we love the game. We have been playing together since we were kids and have nothing to lose, so we just want to give everything. We want to upset teams; that is why we are here.”
In other action on Thursday, the West Indies carved out a five-wicket victory over Tanzania in Windhoek, while the match between Zimbabwe and Scotland was abandoned without a ball being bowled.
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Brief scores: USA 107 in 35.2 overs (Sahil Garg 16, Arjun Mahesh 16, Adnit Jhamb 18, Nitish Sudini 36; Henil Patel 5.16) lost to India 99/4 in 17.2 overs (Ayush Mhatre 19, Vihaan Malhotra 18, Abhigyan Kundu 42 no, Kanishk Chouhan 10 no; Rivik Appidi 2/24).
