Contrasting centuries by Sachin Dhas and skipper Uday Saharan emerged as the cornerstones of India's commanding 132-run victory over Nepal in their final Super Six Group 1 match of the ICC Under-19 World Cup in Bloemfontein, South Africa. The enthralling partnership between Dhas (116, 101 balls) and Saharan (100, 107 balls), amassing 215 runs off 202 balls, steered India from a precarious position of 62/3 to a formidable total of 297/5 after choosing to bat first.
Dominant Batting Display Lifts India:
The favored tournament contenders, now accumulating eight points, not only secured their spot in the semifinals but also set the stage for a formidable clash against South Africa in Benoni on Tuesday. The contrasting yet complementary styles of Dhas and Saharan paved the way for India's dominance in the crucial encounter.
Nepal's Spirited Start and Sudden Collapse:
While Nepal commenced their chase strongly, reaching 65 for 1 in the 14th over, they suffered a dramatic collapse, losing six wickets for a mere 12 runs and ending up at 77 for 7 in the 28th over. Left-arm spinner Saumy Pandey, a prominent performer with 16 wickets, initiated the collapse with impressive figures of 4/29 in 10 overs.
Pandey's Impact and Nepal's Last-Ditch Effort:
Pandey's crucial spell began with the dismissal of Deepak Bohara (22), followed by the removal of Uttam Magar (8) and an exceptional delivery that clean-bowled Arjun Kumal (26). The Nepalese batting order crumbled under the sustained pressure imposed by Pandey, with skipper Dev Khanal's valiant 33 delaying the inevitable. A late resistance from the last-wicket partnership between Aakash Chand (18 not out) and Durgesh Gupta (29 not out) provided a glimmer of hope for Nepal.
India's Bowling Challenges and Injury Scare:
Despite their comprehensive victory, India faced challenges in wrapping up Nepal's innings, with skipper Khanal offering resistance. Additionally, India encountered an injury scare as regular wicketkeeper-batsman Aravalli Avanish had to leave the field with a right-hand injury, prompting Inesh Mahajan to take over wicketkeeping duties.
India's Early Struggles and Resilient Recovery:
India faced early setbacks in their innings, losing Adarsh Singh (21) in the first powerplay. The dismissals of Arshin Kulkarni (18) and Priyanshu Moliya (19) further rattled the Indian side. However, the momentum shifted dramatically with a game-changing partnership between skipper Saharan and Dhas, rescuing India from a precarious situation and setting the tone for a commanding total.
Dhas's Controlled Aggression and Saharan's Anchor Role:
Dhas, promoted to No. 5, showcased controlled yet aggressive batting, capitalizing on loose deliveries and targeting specific bowlers. His assertive approach and clean hitting skills were on full display, reaching his maiden fifty in just 50 balls and ultimately notching a well-deserved century off 93 balls. Saharan played the anchor role, complementing Dhas's aggression and ensuring India reached a formidable total.
In conclusion, the contrasting centuries by Dhas and Saharan, coupled with an impressive bowling performance led by Pandey, propelled India to a comprehensive victory over Nepal. The team's resilient recovery from early struggles showcased their depth and determination, setting the stage for an intriguing semifinal clash against South Africa.
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