It's an all-Asian final in South Africa in the 2020 edition of the ICC under-19 World Cup as four-time champions India take on new finalists Bangladesh at Potchefstroom on Sunday. India and Bangladesh in the finals have been lop-sided affairs at all levels and India are favourites to win a fifth title on Sunday. They will, however, face stiff resistance from a few Bangladesh players. We have them, and a few Indian players in the list of players to watch out for in the finals.
Yashasvi Jaiswal
With 312 runs in 5 matches at an average of 156 including two centuries, Yashasvi Jaiswal has clearly been the batsman of the tournament. India's left-handed opener has combined tenacity with flair and managed to be rock solid at the top for India in the tournament. In five matches against the Bangladesh youth side since the last youth World Cup, Jaiswal has 164 runs at an average just over 30. He has also been dismissed a couple of times by Rakibul Hasan, making this an interesting battle to watch out for in the finals.
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Mahmudul Hasan Joy
Bangladesh's saviour at the top of the order and clearly their batsman of the World Cup has been Mahmudul Hasan Joy. The no. 3 batsman was the architect of Bangladesh's triumph over New Zealand in the semi-finals, scoring a fine century in a tricky run-chase to take his team home. Mahmudul has 164 runs in 5 matches against India youth side since the last World Cup and it includes a brilliant century (109), a knock he would love to repeat in the finals.
Divyaansh Saxena
India's two biggest run-scorers in the tournament have both been openers. While Jaiswal has hogged headlines for his brilliant run of form, Saxena has been an able partner, putting up brilliant partnerships and acting as the dedicated second-fiddle. He has scores of 55 and 37 against the Bangladesh youth side in the two matches he has played against them. Breaking the Indian opening pair will be one of Bangladesh's biggest tasks on Sunday.
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Rakibul Hasan
With 11 wickets in five matches at an average of 8.45, Rakibul Hasan, the left-arm spinner has been Bangladesh's bowler of the tournament in their run to the finals. The left-arm spinner snared five for 19 in the match against South Africa in the quarterfinals and picked up the massive wicket of Ollie White in the semis against New Zealand where he bowled three maidens in his ten-over spell that went for just 35. The spinner has dismissed Jaiswal twice in youth ODIs and will be key for the Tigers to test India's in-form opener.
Bangladesh created their own bit of history against New Zealand by qualifying for an U19 World Cup final for the first time.
— Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) February 8, 2020
Relive their superb all-round team performance. #U19CWC | #FutureStars pic.twitter.com/9k5ojRhGLu
Kartik Tyagi
Even if Ravi Bishnoi is India's top wicket-taker in the tournament and fourth in the list of most wicket-takers this World Cup, Kartik Tyagi has been the standout bowler for them. The seamer has been exceptional with his execution of the yorkers and ability to deliver under pressure. He was instrumental in India's surge to the finals, bowling his team to an unlikely win against the Aussies after the batting floundered. Tyagi has 11 wickets this World Cup at an average of 10.91 and will be backed to run through Bangladesh's batting line-up, much like Pakistan's pace attack did earlier in the tournament.
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Feature image courtesy: Twitter / @cricketworldcup
