Dravid’s boys hot favourites to win World Cup

Coach Rahul Dravid’s boys are on a 15-match winning streak since losing to England in the quarterfinal of the previous edition two years ago. India are looking to win a fourth title in the U-19 World Cup. 

“We are set for tomorrow,” said India captain Ishan Kishan. “There is obviously tension before every match and this is the World Cup final. We have reached our goal, now we need to achieve that goal. “The West Indies too has been playing well. It will be a good game. We just need to follow our plans. We can’t think too far ahead.” 

In the current tournament, India breezed through Group D with an all-win record against New Zealand, Nepal and Ireland, before crushing Namibia by 197 runs in the quarterfinal and Sri Lanka by 97 runs in the semifinal. 

However, past achievements don’t count and the way the West Indies have progressed to the final suggests they can go on to win their maiden title in the competition. Skipper Shimron Hetmyer’s team has not looked back since the 61-run defeat to England in the opening match, having beaten Fiji and Zimbabwe in the group stage to qualify for the quarterfinals. 

The West Indies reserved their best for the knock-out rounds,shocking Pakistan by five wickets before ending Bangladesh’s run Thursday’s semifinal Hetmyer, Shamar Springer and the hard-hitting Gidron Pope figured in both the run-chases while fast bowler Alzaari Joseph’s has consistently bowled above 145 kmph.