The ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2016 is about to draw the curtain and one team will lift the silverware when India and West Indies will lock horns at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur, Dhaka, on Sunday.
It has been almost 33 years since India outplayed West Indies in the World Cup final under the leadership of Kapil Dev at the Lord's. Here are the two nations which will face each other in a mega event final after so many years in the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup.
India U19 have cruised into the final for the fifth time and guess what, they have already won it thrice. The last time they had won the tournament was in 2012 and it was Unmukt Chand who lifted the trophy.
India U19 have been on a rampaging run in the ongoing ICC U19 World Cup. They have thrashed whoever have come in their way in order to reach the final. Their road to the final was rather easy. Interestingly, India U19 have not lost a game ever since Rahul Dravid has been appointed as the coach.
Sarfaraz Khan has been the star for India in this ongoing World Cup. Wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant is not far away either, as he too has scored a lot of runs in this tournament.
Avesh Khan and Mayank Dagar have bowled superbly in this tournament for India U19, while the former being one of the highest wicket-takers in the tournament.
Meanwhile, West Indies U19 have stunned the host Bangladesh on Thursday to sneak into the final of the tournament. They have been defeated only once in this competition. England U19 got the better of West Indies in a Group C match. That was a big defeat (by 61 runs) indeed. But Shimron Hetmyer's side has bounced back strongly and now they have made it to the final of the ICC U19 World Cup, where they will face a red-hot India.
Alzarri Joseph and Chemar Holder are the two West Indian quicks who have led the Caribbean bowling attack from the front.
It will be interesting to see how the Indian top-order batsmen play against these quicks. Ishan Kishan, Rishabh Pant, Anmolpreet Singh, Sarfaraz Khan are attacking players. It is highly unlikely that they are going to change their strategies against West Indies on Sunday.
The wicket is likely going to aid the bowlers just as it has done in the previous games. Team batting first should have no doubt but bat first. This is going to be one heck of an encounter on Sunday!
ICC U19 Cricket World Cup Final: India vs West Indies complete schedule:
Date: 14 February, Friday.
Venue: Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur, Dhaka.
Timings: 9 a.m. local time, 8.30 a.m. IST, 3 a.m. GMT and 10 p.m. EST.
TV listings: Star Sports 1 and HD 1 (India), Sky Sports 1 and HD 1 (UK), Willow TV (US).
