Unstoppable Dravid’s colts eye title vs Bangladesh

Rahul Dravid’s wards will start as firm favourites when hosts India meet Bangladesh in the U-19 tri-series final, here on Sunday. 

Under the astute leadership of the former India captain, the bunch of 20-member Indian squad have outplayed both Afghanistan and Bangladesh in the double round-robin stage of the preparatory tournament for the ICC U-19 World Cup from January 22-February 14.

The Indian batting legend has cleverly rotated the XI in the four matches to get the combination right ahead of the showpiece event in Bangladesh next year as the boys too have responded securing four wins out of four including two with bonus point.

Dravid’s boys will look to pocket the series and fly wit confidence to Sri Lanka for another trination series involving England before embarking on the World Cup in Bangladesh.

Andhra Pradesh lad Ricky Bhui, who has his roots in Bengal, led the side in first two matches, while Jharkhand’s Virat Singh was the skipper in their last two, as despite playing together at International level for the first time they never showed problem against the two teams.

“This tournament is about giving people the opportunity and rotating the players. It’s really creditable since 16 or 17 boys are playing U-19 cricket for the first time, compared to say Bangladesh who have been preparing for a really long time,” Dravid told reporters. “Obviously, they are preparing for the World Cup but at the end of the day it’s more than that. Its about hoping that some of these boys go on to represent Indian in the future and how we can help them in those journeys...”

Attacking Delhi left-hander Rishabh Pant, who also doubles up as a wicketkeepr, will be the fulcrum of Indian batting as he has been the tournament’s leading run-getter with his scores of 118, 51 and 87 from three matches.

The Delhi opener is capable of giving the team a flying start while the likes of Washington Sundar from Chennai, Virat and Bhui lend stability down the order.

A fan of former Aussie wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist, Pant is a natural timer of the ball and his elegant drives and lofted sixes over the bowler make him the one to watch out for. . 

India were bowled out for 158 in the first match against Bangladesh -- their only sub 200 score in the tournament -- in a match Pant did not figure in the XI but his inclusion in the remaining matches has spiced up the home team’s batting. 

In bowling, India have the tall Indore speedster in Avesh Khan who impressed with his 4/4 to bowl Bangldesh out for 76 in the first match to help them coast to a comfortable 82-run win while defending a paltry 159 in the first match.

Avesh bowls with a high arm, steady action and has a lethal offcutter with which he had dismissed Bangladesh opener Saif Hassan in the very first ball as he would like the ball to do the talking.

Left-arm pacer duo of Khaleel Ahmed, who bagged 4/41 against Afghanistan in the only match he played, and Kanishk Seth will give them other options.

Fresh from his five-for against Afghanistan on Friday, Lucknow boy Zeeshan Ansari who bowls immaculate leg spin will also look to make an impact. 

Bangladesh made the final beating Afghanistan twice as they’re yet to win against India, something that would bother the team led by Mehedi Hasan Miraz, who has taken eight wickets and also scored a fighting 87 against India.