India began their U19 campaign with a win against South Africa in Providence Stadium, Guyana on Sunday, 16 January. The win came in a manner that would have made coach Hrishikesh Kanitkar proud given how highly he has rated this ‘Boys in Blue’ for their ability to play as a team.
Defending a modest total of 233 runs, the bowlers, especially the spin duo of Vicky Ostwal and Nishant Sindhu put a choke on the Rainbow Nation forcing them into submission. South Africa were bundled out for 187 runs in 45.4 overs making sure that India started off with a big win of 45 runs.
Having said that, the scoreboards could not quite reflect the drama of the match considering the position they were in till the 35th over. With seven wickets remaining and 135 runs scored, SA were well settled to possibly chase the score down after an incredible mid-block from the two Indian spinners. While Sindhu was not among the wickets, he conceded just 22 runs from his 10 overs, making sure that SA did not cut loose. He was aided by the exceptional lines and lengths from Ostwal, who not only kept it tight (28 runs off 10 overs) but also picked up wickets in the lower end of the innings to affect a collapse.
South Africa lost their final six wickets within 50 runs and it all started with pacer Raj Angad Bawa removing the prized wicket of Dewald Brevis. Brevis, who was batting at 65 off 99 balls was key for SA in chasing the total down, but a diving catch from captain Yash Dhull at mid off made sure that India did not digress from their goal.
From there, the scoreboard pressure brought wickets and India were safe by the 46th over. Bawa took four wickets while Ostwal completed a fifer in the first game of the tournament.
Earlier in the day, the Indian batting faltered and they lost their primary attacker Harnoor Singh in the second over. From there, a rescue act from Yash Dhull with others made sure that India had something to give to their bowlers. While Yash Dhull scored 82 off 100 balls, lower order batsman Kaushal Tambe pitched in with a crucial 35 off 44 balls.