EN U19 VS IN U19 FINAL

Right then! It's been an exciting month or so of Under 19 cricketing action and the favorites, India have gone on to win their fifth title. With this our coverage of the Under 19 World Cup 2022 has also ended. Hope you all enjoyed it. There's a lot of cricketing action going around the globe though. The senior Indian side will take on West Indies in the first ODI on Sunday, the 6th of February. That match begins at 1.30 pm IST (8 am GMT). Do join us for that match. Till then, take care and goodbye!

Yash Dhull now lifts the trophy and the Indian team is jubilant in celebration as they pose for the winning photograph!

Under 19 World Cup-winning captain, Yash Dhull says that it's a proud moment that they have managed to achieve something for the national side. He adds that they spent a lot of time together and bonded like a family which helped them to improve as a team. He mentions that England made a good comeback with the bat and they just needed to keep a cool head. States that the coaching staff was brilliant and they have learned a lot from them.

The Indian players now come up one by one to collect their winner's medals from Sir Curtley Ambrose. A proud moment for each and every one of these young men.

England Under-19 skipper, Tom Prest says that opting to a bat first, they got a nervy start and they would have liked to bat better. Mentions that James Rew deserved a century but missed out. Tells that they have got a good bowling unit and they believed that they could defend 189. Says India batted well though. Says that he has made friends from other teams as well. Adds that their parents and families have flown in to support them. Tells that the boys played really well.

The English players now come one by one to collect their runners-up medals. What an outstanding tournament they have had!

South Africa's Dewald Brewis is adjudged the PLAYER OF THE TOURNAMENT! He broke the long-standing record of most runs in a single tournament with 506 runs and even picked up 7 wickets throughout the course of the tournament. Baby AB must have made Ab de Villiers proud with that achievement.

Raj Angad Bawa is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his 5/31 with the ball and a vital contribution of 35 runs with the bat as well. Bawa says that it always feels great to contribute in any match but when it's the finals it's even more special. He mentions that he just tried to execute the plans laid out by the coaches and on being asked if he prefers to ball or bat, Bawa says that he prefers a bit of both.

... The Presentation Ceremony ...

Ravi Kumar now comes down for a quick chat. He says that the feeling is great and is speechless. Tells that the coaches just told them to do their best. Mentions that they just said it might or might not be your day but one should give their 100%. Informs that there was something on offer in the first innings and he made the most out of it. Says that his first wicket was his favorite.

Shaik Rasheed, the Indian vice-captain is down for a chat. He says that winning the World Cup feels great. Mentions that he is really happy. States that it was about assessing the scoreboard and taking it accordingly. Ends by saying that he just wanted to play his normal game.

VVS Laxman is up for a chat now. He congratulates the selection committee. Mentions that it was a challenge for them to get this side and they have done a splendid job. Tells that the boys have worked really hard. Says that there hasn't been much domestic cricket in India and they haven't played consistent cricket for a long time. Adds that they won the Asia Cup recently and the preparations for the World Cup were fantastic. Tells that it's about developing them further on into successful cricketers.

Hrishikesh Kanitkar, the Indian Head coach is up for a chat. He says that it was a great performance and is happy with the result. Mentions that they have learned a lot from this. Tells that they were looking to bat as well but they thought that there is something in the wicket as well and they exploited the conditions. On being asked about Nishant Sindhu, he says that he has got a good head on his shoulders and thinks about the situation very well. Ends by saying that it is a great platform to showcase your talent at a very young age.

Time to get a few reactions to the Indian title win...

There's always pressure in the final but India never ever looked to be under any sort of pressure given their body language. After a disastrous start, a couple of 40 plus stands and a well-compiled half-century from Shaik Rasheed put India well ahead of the game. Rasheed gave away his wicket and soon, the skipper, Yash Dhull too fell. It was the partnership between Nishant Sindhu and Raj Angad Bawa worth 67 runs that steadied the ship yet again. India kept on losing wickets at crucial times and were finding it difficult to find the fence. Sindhu though showed excellent composure and saw the team through as he hit a brilliant half-century. Dinesh Bana then came in and hit a couple of sixes to seal the title win. India really were dominant throughout the tournament and deserve the win today as well.

At the interval, almost no one would have given England a chance to win the match or even take it as deep as they managed to do. Boyden gave them the best start possible by picking up Angkrish Raghuvanshi for a duck in the very first over. After that though, England focused on keeping the rate down rather than picking up wickets and allowed the opposition to get the required runs below 100. The fight was not over though. The English bowlers gave it their all and Tom Prest kept on chopping and changing the bowling as well. James Sales and Tom Aspinwall bowled with great heart and the spinners were tight. Sales picked up a couple of wickets as well but in the end, he just couldn't hold his nerves.

What a fabulous contest we have witnessed here in the final! A run chase which looked simple to begin with but England somehow made a match out of it and have pushed India all the way. In the end, India have managed to keep their calm and win a record-extending 5th Under 19 World Cup title. Nishant Sindhu has been the hero for India and Dinesh Bana definitely added the finishing touches.

SIX! Dinesh Bana take a bow! He finishes things off in style. A juicy full toss, on middle and leg. Dinesh Bana hammers it over long on. Enough power on that one to clear the ropes. Dinesh Bana is pumped up. The Indian players start running onto the pitch to celebrate. They are all around the park. INDIA UNDER-19 WIN THE MATCH BY 4 WICKETS!