ICC Under-19 World Cup 2022: India overcome COVID-19, beat Ireland to enter quarterfinals

The India Under-19 Cricket Team saw several members down with the coronavirus but they held firm and thrashed Ireland by 174 runs to enter the quarterfinal of the ICC Under-19 World Cup 2022.

The ICC Under-19 World Cup 2022 saw India thrash Ireland by 174 runs to enter the quarterfinal. (Image credit: BCCI Twitter)
By Siddharth vishwanathan | Jan 20, 2022 | 3 Min Read follow icon Follow Us

Before the start of the ICC Under-19 World Cup clash between India and Ireland at Brian Lara Stadium, bad news hit the Indian team. Several members of the side tested positive for the coronavirus, including skipper Yash Dhull. Thus, India was forced to field a relatively new team, with Nishant Sindhu appointed the captain. But, the depth of talent in the Indian cricket team meant that there were no problems. Harnoor Singh and Angkrish Raghuvanshi hit attacking fifties to boost India to 307/5. The bowlers were in fine form as Ireland lost 174 runs. The win allowed India to sail into the quarterfinals.

India chose to bat at the Brian Lara Stadium and Raghuvanshi set the tone with three boundaries off Matthew Humphries. It was the start of something special for the opening duo, with Harnoor Singh continuing on his fine form which he showed against South Africa.

Harnoor, Raghuvanshi boost India against Ireland

Raghuvanshi was severe on anything that was short. He pummeled Nathan McGuire for three fours in the fifth over. Harnoor then hit two fours off Muzamil Sherzad as the partnership went past fifty. Raghuvanshi neared his fifty with a six and four off Humphreys and he hit the same bowler for another six to notch up his milestone off just 41 balls.

Read – ICC Under-19 World Cup: India the masters of the tournament

India was going at close to seven runs per over, with Harnoor also notching his fifty. The partnership went past 100 and the Ireland bowlers struggled for impact. Raghuvanshi and Harnoor were nearing their hundreds when Jamie Forbes dismissed Raghuvanshi for 79. Raj Bawa came in and he was dropped on 1 which hurt Ireland a little.

Ireland conceded just 13 runs in the next five overs, with Raj Bawa hitting a six off Forbes. He was once again dropped as Ireland’s fielders did not back up the bowlers. But, Humphreys denied Harnoor a hundred as India’s run-rate lowered. Only 31 runs came in the next nine overs.

Captain Nishant Sindhu hit two fours off Humphries as India eyed a total in excess of 300. Sindhu and Bawa regularly found the boundaries but Sherzad dismissed the Indian skipper for 36. When Bawa was also dismissed, India was in danger of not ending well. But, Rajvardhan Hangargekar hit two sixes off Humphreys and he benefited from a missed stumping. He made Ireland pay as he smashed three consecutive sixes and a four in Sherzad’s last over to boost India past 300. Hangargekar’s 39 off 17 balls ensured India had a confident total to defend.

Ireland stumble in chase vs India

After Hangargekar had hurt Ireland with the bat, he hurt them with the ball. He and Ravi Kumar picked up the openers while David Vincent was run-out. At 17/3 in seven overs, Ireland was staring down the barrel. Tim Tector was in fine form and he looked to fight with two boundaries off Raj Bawa. When Tector fell, Joshua Cox took up the mantle and held firm. But, the asking rate mounted for Ireland.

But, Ireland kept losing wickets at vital intervals and was never in the game. Scott MacBeth and Nathan McGuire delayed the inevitable, with MacBeth slamming Vicky Ostwal for a six and a four. MacBeth showed his talent but Aneeshwar Gautam and Kaushal Tambe ran through the tail to ensure India entered the quarterfinal without any hassles. India will end their league campaign against Uganda at the Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba on January 22.





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