Bloemfontein: Reigning champions India kicked off their ICC U-19 World Cup campaign in style as they registered a 93-run win over Sri Lanka. Now on Tuesday, Indian colts will take on Japan at the Mangaung Oval here.
In their opening encounter, India exhibited an all-round performance. They held complete control over the game against Sri Lanka. A similar performance is expected from Boys in Blue against Japan U-19 team. Nevertheless, India will start favourites against Japan, who are playing an ICC event for the first time.
Japan U-19 team begun their campaign with a point as their match against New Zealand failed to produce a result due to rain. However, before the rain interrupted the play Japanese bowlers' weakness was exposed by New Zealand batsmen. The Kiwis had accumulated 195 runs off 28 overs, scalping just two wickets.
With India are blessed with a strong batting line-up Japanese bowlers may have another bad day at the field.
In the game against Sri Lanka, batting first India got off to a superb start with openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Divyansh Saxena piled up 66 runs.
After a solid start Tilak Verma, Priyam Garg, Dhruv Jurel and Siddhesh Veer chipped in with solid performances with the willow in hand to help India post 297. With the ball in hand Akash Singh and Ravi Bishnoi then picked up two wickets each to ensure India's empathic victory.
On Monday, Indian batsmen will look to up their ante before they face New Zealand U-19 side on January 24.
The main aim of Japanese players will be to learn a few things from their Indian counterparts. Though their batting seems weak their bowlers Yugandhar Retharekar and Neel Date will try to make some impact.
Rain threat looms large
Rain could play spoilsport in this match. The day started with thunderstorms. However, a clear sky is expected before the match begins.
Probable XI
Japan U19 - Marcus Thurgate (c & wk), Max Clements, Neel Date, Kento Ota Dobell, Ishaan Fartyal, Sora Ichiki, Shu Noguchi, Yugandhar Retharekar, Debashish Sahoo, Kazumasa Takahashi, Ashley Thurgate
India U19 - Yashasvi Jaiswal, Divyansh Saxena, Tilak Varma, Priyam Garg (c), Dhruv Jurel (wk), Siddhesh Veer, Shubhang Hegde, Sushant Mishra, Ravi Bishnoi, Akash Singh, Kartik Tyagi
