U-19 World Cup Final: 5 India players to watch out for

India U-19 started the tournament as favourites and rightly find a spot in the final of the 2016 U-19 World Cup. The youngsters have had a remarkable edition winning all their games quite convincingly. Whether it’s the consistent run of Sarfaraz Khan or the bowling display by Avesh Khan, India have been a formidable unit so far. Come Sunday, they face the West Indies in the title clash. Here’s a look at the five players who could steal the show:

#1 Rishabh Pant: 

An opener is expected to give the team a start, and Rishabh Pant has done that, in flying fashion so far. The opener has played all the games for India and has scored a total of 266 runs from the 5 games, averaging over 53. He arrived with a breathtaking knock – fastest U-19 fifty ever – against Nepal and then scored a ton against Namibia in the quarters. If Pant gets going, West Indies could find going tough.

Sarfaraz Khan: 

 He is not an unknown entity. After a successful stint with the RCB in the IPL, a U-19 World Cup outing in 2014, and first-class stint UP, experience is on Sarfaraz Khan’s side. He has scored 4 fifties in 5 matches and is third on the list of the highest run-scorers in the tournament. Sarfaraz has often bailed the team out of trouble and remains a key member in the middle-order.

Mahipal Lomror:  

He is the unsung hero of this Indian team. Mahipal has played some important knocks in the lower order when India were tottering towards small totals. Not just with the bat but Lomror has also proved his worth with the ball as his tight bowling has troubled batsmen and has prevented them to score runs in the middle overs. He has bagged 7 wickets so far in the competition.

Avesh Khan: 

 The lanky seamer’s matured bowling display has proved his worth on the big stage. The strike bowler has had 11 scalps so far from the 5 matches he has played in the tournament so far and more often than not, he has made early inroads.

Khaleel Ahmed: 

Khaleel Ahmed celebrates a wicket

The wickets column doesn’t do justice to his efforts in the tournament so far. Khaleel has complimented Avesh well with the new ball and has allowed the lanky seamer hunt for wickets as he continues to hold one end up with a disciplined effort. India’s new-ball pair has inflicted fear factor in the opposition, and Sunday should be no different.



source:indianexpress

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