India vs New Zealand, U19 World Cup Highlights: Musheer Khan, Saumy Pandey Guide India To Massive Win

Welcome back for the second essay! The players of India Under-19 are in a huddle before they spread out to take their places on the field. Tom Jones and James Nelson walk out to bat for New Zealand Under-19. Raj Limbani has the new ball in hand and is raring to go. Let's play says the Umpire.

... THE RUN CHASE ...

On the flip side, New Zealand Under-19 pacers initiated well but couldn't find the assistance from the surface that Skipper Oscar Jackson was banking on. Mason Clarke made a breakthrough by claiming the crucial wicket of Arshin Kulkarni in his third over. A resilient partnership for the second wicket was halted by Zac Cumming, who dismissed Adarsh Singh. The spinners, led by Ollie Tewatiya, tightened their grip, breaking the pivotal partnership by dismissing Indian skipper Uday Saharan. Ryan Tsourgas, Ewald Schreuder and Mason Clarke made a strong comeback towards the end, stemming the flow of runs. To compound the challenges for New Zealand Under-19, Lachlan Stackpole dropped a straightforward catch of Musheer Khan. Fortunately for him, the miss didn't prove costly as Mason Clarke redeemed the situation by claiming Musheer's wicket in the very next over. Mason Clarke emerged as the standout bowler, securing four crucial wickets and adding some respite to New Zealand Under-19's bowling effort. Will New Zealand Under-19 overcome their batting challenges and successfully chase down this substantial total? Or will India's bowlers restrict the Kiwis, securing their fourth consecutive win in this tournament? Let's find out as the chase comes to you in a bit.

Mason Clarke is in for a chat. He took career-best figures of 4 for 62 from his eight overs. He starts by saying that he is happy that they were able to finish off well after that shaky start. Mentions that India came pretty hard at them at the start. States that it is a special feeling to be out there in the field. Feels that the wicket has something in it for everyone. Also says that he thought that the wicket would have more pace as compared to East London. Ends by saying that he is confident that his batters can get the runs.

Sent in to bat first, India Under-19 had a nervy start with two run-out chances in the first two balls. However, the openers, Adarsh Singh and Arshin Kulkarni navigated through the initial tension. Arshin Kulkarni's aggression led to his departure in the 5th over, making way for Musheer Khan, who seamlessly continued his form from the previous match. A solid 77-run partnership evolved between Adarsh Singh and Musheer Khan marked by precision and minimal risks. Adarsh Singh, after a well-deserved half-century, departed, but not before contributing significantly. The skipper, Uday Saharan, joined forces with Musheer Khan, orchestrating an 87-run partnership through the middle overs. Uday Saharan's departure made way for Aravelly Rao, who played a brief cameo of 17 runs. However, it was Musheer Khan who stole the spotlight, notching up his second century of the tournament. His stellar innings concluded at 131, as he aimed to go big before being dismissed. The Indian tail struggled to wag much, and the innings concluded at 295 runs.

A spectacular display from the top order, highlighted by Musheer Khan's century, has propelled India Under-19 to a formidable total of 295 runs at the conclusion of the first innings. Despite the challenges faced earlier in the innings, New Zealand Under-19 will find solace in the way they managed to pull things back towards the end.

At pace now and on a short of a length, on off, Naman Tiwari hangs back and slaps it over extra cover. The ball plugs in the outfield but the batters are able to run three. A good final over from Mason Clarke, 6 runs off it and India Under-19 finish on 295/8.

Delivers it on a back of a length, over middle, Raj Limbani swats it off the bottom half of the bat to mid-wicket for a run.

Bye! Takes pace off does Clarke and bowls it on a back of a length, over middle, Naman Tiwari walks across his stumps and goes for the scoop but does not get any bat on it. Raj Limbani is alert to the situation and calls Tiwari through for a bye.

Angling across, on a short of a length, on off, Naman Tiwari hops and reaches out for the cut but fails to connect.

This is on a back of a length, on off, Raj Limbani hangs back and steers it towards short third man for a single to open his account.

Raj Limbani walks to bat at number 10 for India Under-19.

OUT! CLEANED HIM UP! Mason Clarke says 'You miss and I hit'! New Zealand Under-19 are finishing strongly with the ball here. Bowls it right up to the batter, near the crease, at the stumps. Murugan Abhishek goes deep in his crease and swings but fails to get under the ball. The ball sneaks under his bat and rattles into the stumps. Mason Clarke will be eying hat fifth wicket now.

Naman Tiwari walks in at number 9 for India Under-19.

OUT! CAUGHT! Fine catch from Snehith Reddy and Ewald Schreuder gets his first wicket now! A good comeback from Schreuder after being hit for a boundary on the second ball of the over. Switches to around the wicket and angles it in, fuller in length, around off, Sachin Dhas uses his feet but gets a bit too close to the ball and fails to get the elevation to get it up and over on the off side. Hits it flat and towards extra cover where Snehith Reddy dives to his left and takes an excellent low catch.

Lands it on a shortish length, around leg, Murugan Abhishek waits for the ball to arrive and pulls it to deep square leg for a run.

WIDE! Goes slower but this is way too short and it goes over the batter for a wide.

Comes from over the wicket and digs it in short, over middle, Sachin Dhas backs away and pulls it hard and along the ground to deep mid-wicket for a run.

Slower and fuller, on off, Sachin Dhas swings a bit early and slices it aerially but wide of point for a couple of runs.

FOUR! Crunched! Ewald Schreuder errs in length and bowls it in the slot and offers width on off, Sachin Dhas opens up his front hip and gets down on one knee to thump it over extra cover for a boundary.