19 REASONS THAT WORKED FOR INDIA
WINNING WAYS Talent and awareness of players to the Dravidled staff’s attention to detail, everything came together
Focus, winning habit & big victory margins are some of the reasons that contributed to the win. ››
India was one run away fromtheICCUnder-19WorldCup title. Skipper Prithvi Shaw and team-mates were impatiently waiting to charge on to the field.
It was an overflow of emotions in Tauranga as the winning boundary was hit.
Shaw and his teammates roared in glee. Some players plucked the stumps while others tackled centurion Manjot Kalra to the ground.
When the trophy was presented, the happiness and roar in the Indian camp represented a great end to a perfect campaign -India scaled the summit, clinching a record fourth title with an eight-wicket win over Australia.
Here are the 19 reasons why India conquered the world.
THE LEGEND OF DR AVID
With almost 25,000 runs in Tests and ODIs combined, India’s U-19 boys got as mentor am an known for his grit in tough situations, one who knew how to get the best out of the youngsters.
REACHINGEARLY
To acclimatise to conditions in New Zealand, India reached two weeks in advance and played three warm-up games. This was vital in India’s dominant run.
WINNINGHABIT
From the 2016 World Cup till 2018, India won the Asia Cup in Sri Lanka, defeated England 3-1 at home and white washed them 5-0 away. This gave the side great momentum.
BIGMARGINS
Victories by 100 runs, 10 wickets twice ,131 runs ,203 runs and eight wickets -- India showcased their supreme confidence in each game.
CONSISTENT OPENER S
With opening stands of 180, 67, 155, 16, 89, and 71 in the final, Prithvi Shaw and Manjot Kalra always laid the base to dictate terms to the opposition.
GILL’ S CONSISTENCY
With scores of 63, 90, 86, 102*and 31 at No 3, Shubhman Gill (372 run satan average of 124) was the X-factor. His efforts built on the great opening starts of Shaw and Kalra.
ABHISHEKCHIPSIN
The 17-year-old rescued India from a tricky situation in the quarter-final against Bangladesh.
His 50 off 49 balls helped reach 265 and his 2/11 off five overs sealed the contest.
SPEEDDEMON
The 2018 edition saw the rise of India’s future fast bowlers, symbolised by Kamlesh Nagarkoti. The 18-year-old regularly touched 145kph and proved a handful for batsmen.
ECONOMICTRIO
India’s three pacers shared 24 wickets. Porel took six wickets at an economy rate of 3.56. Nag arko ti and Ma vi took nine wickets at 3.48 and4.12 respectively, andthe trio’s discipline made a difference.
ROY: MID-OVERS CHAMP
With 14 wickets at an average of 9.07, A nu ku l Roy was the leading wicket-taker. His strikes in the middle-overs never allowed the opposition to gain momentum.
DEVASTATING SHIVA
Left-arm spinner Shiva Singh’s 2/36 in 10 overs triggered an Australia batting collapse. His economy rate of 3.23 in six games allowed India to choke the opposition in the middle overs.
FIELDING BY BOWLERS
Nagarkoti and Mavi not only bowled with pace, but threw themselves around in the field. India’s fielding reached a whole new level due to the athleticism of
their bowlers.
ISHAN’S KNOCK-OUT
The tall pacer, retained in the side after an injury early on, took no wickets until the semi-finals. But he took 4/17 against Pakistan and two early wickets against Australia in the final.
FOCUS DRAVID-STYLE
During the knock-outs, IPL auctions were approaching. Dravid urged the team to stay focused,
saying, “There is an auction every year, but opportunity to play in a World Cup semi-final does not come often.” The discipline showed.
KALRA’S INTENT
Kalra targeted the best bowler in the Australia line-up,l eg-spinner Lloyd Pope, who took 8/35 against England in the quarter-final. Smashing him for 13 runs in his first over swung the balance in India’s favour.
PASSING TEST
Oz skipper Jason Sangha had said India’s middle order had not been tested. Dismissals of Shaw and Gill put a little pressure, but Harvik Desai’s 47 not out at No 4 and his 89-run stand with Kalra ticked that box.
NO FEAR
In the past, India would be intimidated by Australia. This time, India had no fear, and like a well-oiled unit they demolished the threetime champions in the league stage and final.
WHAT PRESSURE
In the past, there would be tension around an India-Pak game. This time, India showed no pressure in winning by 203 runs.
SHAW THE LEADER
His field placements were proactive, bowling changes spot on. With an average of 65 at the top, the captain’s all-round show defined his leadership qualities.