Ind Vs Ban U-19 World Cup: Bangladesh beat India by 3 wickets to lift maiden title

Defending champions India are overwhelming favourites to win a record fifth U-19 World Cup title here on Sunday but a tough fight is expected from first-timers Bangladesh in an all-Asian final. If the India squad for the 2018 edition had the likes of Prithvi Shaw and Shubman Gill, who have expectedly gone on to play for the senior team, the exploits of opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, spinner Ravi Bishnoi and pacer Kartik Tyagi in the current edition have made them overnight stars. Irrespective of what happens in Sunday's final, India have reinforced the fact that they are undisputed leaders at the under-19 level and the cricketing structure the BCCI has developed is working better than any other board in the world. 

READ: U-19 World Cup final: India overwhelming favourites as buoyant Bangladesh eye history

READ: Day Off: India U-19s relax by visiting Mandela Square ahead of World Cup final

India overwhelming favourites

India, who walloped arch-rivals Pakistan by 10 wickets in the semifinal on Tuesday, will be playing their seventh final since 2000 when they lifted the trophy for the first time. Having said that, success at the U-19 level doesn't guarantee success at the highest level as not all players have the ability to go on and play for India. Some also lose their way as Unmukt Chand did after leading India to the title in 2012.  His career promised so much back then but now it has come to a stage where he is struggling to make the eleven in Uttarakhand's Ranji Trophy team, having shifted base from Delhi last year.    

Only the exceptionally talented like Shaw and Gill get to realise their dream as the competition is only getting tougher in the ever-improving Indian cricket. India probably is the only side which fields a fresh squad in every U-19 World Cup edition and since there is no dearth of talent and a proper structure is in place, the talent keeps coming up. "The fact that we allow a cricketer to play the U-19 World Cup only once is a big reason behind the team's success. While most teams have cricketers who have played in the previous edition," India U-19 fielding coach Abhay Sharma told PTI from Potchefstroom.  "It just goes to show that the system under the visionary leadership of Rahul Dravid (NCA head) is flourishing. Credit to BCCI as well that other teams want to follow our structure." 

Heading to the mega event, India colts played about 30-odd games in different part of the world. To get used to the South African conditions, they played a quadrangular series before they played their World Cup opener against Sri Lanka. In the final, India run into Bangladesh, a team which too has reaped the benefits of meticulous planning since their quarterfinal loss at the 2018 edition. Though the Priyam Garg-led Indian side got the better of them in the tri-series in England and Asia Cup last year, Bangladesh have always come up with a fight and fielding coach Sharma expects it would be no different on Sunday.

"They are a very good side. There is a lot of mutual respect. I can tell you that," he said. Considering it is their maiden final, it is a bigger game for Bangladesh. If they win, it will be a sweet revenge against the sub-continental giants, who have found a way to tame Bangladesh at the senior level in close finals including the 2018 Nidahas Trophy and 2016 World T20.  "We don't want to take unwanted pressure. India is a very good side. We have to play our 'A' game and do well in all three departments. Our fans are very passionate about their cricket. I would want to tell them, keep supporting us," said Bangladesh skipper Akbar Ali after the semifinal win over New Zealand. 

READ: Team India give Boys in Blue the perfect pep talk ahead of their U-19 WC finals

READ: India yet to host U-19 World Cup, former BCCI official explains why

(With PTI Inputs)

Cricketing legends and World Cup winners Sachin Tendulkar and Ricky Ponting caught in a single frame.

Sachin Tendulkar cannot hide his excitement of having a bat once again.

The Men In Blue wish the Boys In Blue luck as they eye their fifth U-19 World Cup title against a resurgent Bangladesh.

Master Blaster bats after five-and-a-half years while star Australian women's all-rounder Ellyse Perry bowls to him in this unmissable video.

Brian Lara makes his bat do the talking in style in this must-watch video.

Will Priyam Garg & Co. have the last laugh or will the boys from Bangladesh spoil their party? 

Indian colts hope to bring the cup home as the toss for this grand finale is less than half-an-hour away.

Bangladesh win the toss and elect to field first.

India go with an unchanged side.

Indian openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Divyansh Saxena are out in the middle as the Indian colts eye a solid start.

Bangladesh start off with a maiden. 

Sakib bowls a maiden as India are yet to get off the mark in the second over.

Bangladesh bowlers keeping it tight for the Indian openers.

India are 7/0 after 5 overs

India lose opener Divyansh Saxena as he tried to go for a big shot.

India are 9/1 in the seventh over.

Indian batsmen trying to cut loose.

India are 15/1 after 8 overs.

Bangladesh bowlers keep things tight for India.

India are 23/1 after 10 overs.

Yashasvi Jaiswal and Tilak Verma rebuild for India.

India are 38/1 after 13 overs 

Runs hard to come by for India at the moment.

India are 44/1 after 15 overs

India bring up their team fifty in the 17th over.

Indian batsmen keep the scoreboard ticking. 

India are 66/1

Yashasvi Jaiswal nearing towards his half-century.

India are 73/1 after 23 overs.

Jaiswal, Tilak steady the Indian innings.

India are 80/1 after 25 overs.

Consistent Yashasvi Jaiswal brings up yet another half-century

Bangladesh strike by removing Tilak Verma for 38.

India are 103/2.

The Men In Blue watch the Boys In Blue in action all the way from New Zealand.

Skipper Priyam Garg departs just when India were trying to regain momentum.

India are 114/3. 

Yashasvi Jaiswal eyeing to take India to a big score.

India are 123/3 after 34 overs.

India are 128/3 after 35 overs

Yashasvi Jaiswal falls short of a well-deserving ton.

India are 156/4 in the 40th over.

2 in 2 for Shoriful as Siddhesh Veer goes back for a golden duck.

India are 156/5 after 40 overs.

A terrible mix-up results in Dhruv Jurel being run out.

India are 168/6.

Shoriful effects a brilliant run-out as Ravi Bishnoi walks away.

India are 170/7.

Bangladesh running through India's tail as Atharva Ankolekar departs.

India are 170/8.

Kartik Tyagi dismissed as Indian innings falling apart.

India are 172/9 after 45 overs.

India hope to finish their innings on a high.

India are 174/9 after 47 overs.

India bowled out for 177 runs in the 48th over

India gunning for quick wickets as Bangladesh are off to a brisk start.

Bangladesh racing away in this low-scoring encounter.

Bangladesh are 44/0 after 8 overs.

Ravi Bishnoi strikes in his very first over.

Bangladesh are 50/1

Ravi Bishnoi provides a vital breakthrough for India.

Bangladesh are 116/2.

Parvez Emron walks off the field due to cramps.

Ravi Bishnoi leaves Tawid Hridoy bamboozled.

Bangladesh are 62/3.

Ravi Bishnoi picks up his fourth scalp as India fightback in the final.

Yashasvi Jaiswal takes a stunner as Bangladesh lose half their side.

Bangladesh are 85/5

Sushant Verma accounts for Avishek Das as Bangladesh lose their way.

Bangladesh are 102/6.

Match evenly poised as both teams giving all they have got.

Bangladesh are 110/6 at the halfway mark.

Akbar Ali and Emon fightback for Bangladesh.

Bangladesh are 136/6 after 30 overs.

Yashasvi Jaiswal provides a much-needed breakthrough, removes Emon.

Bangladesh are 143/7.

Ravi Bishnoi completes his spell. Finishes with figures of 4/30 in his 10 overs including 3 maidens.

Indian bowlers keep things tight for Bangladesh.

After 37 overs, Bangladesh are 147/7.

Bangladesh get to 150.

Revised target for Bangladesh is 170 in 46 overs after rain interrupts play.

Tigers just a run away from lifting their maiden U-19 World Cup

Bangladesh beat India by 3 wickets in a rain-interrupted match to lift their maiden U-19 World Cup title in South Africa