'The future of Indian cricket is in safe and able hands' - PM Narendra Modi lauds India U19 team after winning the World Cup

An outstanding performance from team India saw them get the better of England by four wickets in the ICC U19 2022 World Cup final at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in North Sound, Antigua on Saturday. While the English team did make things difficult, the Indian colts showed a tremendous amount of grit and determination to get the job done. By the virtue of this win, India are now the most successful team in U19 history with five World Cups to their name.

As Yash Dhull & Co. made history on Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi came forward to laud them for the splendid performances that they showcased throughout the tournament. They kept their nerves especially in the high-pressure knockout matches when they were tested at regular intervals but came out on top with flying colors to remain undefeated in this edition of the U19 World Cup.

Taking to Twitter, PM Modi wrote that he is extremely proud of the young cricketers and congratulated them for winning the ICC U19 World Cup. Furthermore, he added that the Yash Dhull-led side showed great fortitude through the tournament. He was also assured that the future of Indian Cricket is in the safe hands.

Extremely proud of our young cricketers. Congratulations to the Indian team for winning the ICC U19 World Cup. They have shown great fortitude through the tournament. Their stellar performance at the highest level shows that the future of Indian cricket is in safe and able hands.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 6, 2022

What happened in the game?

Coming back to the contest, England skipper Tom Priest won a crucial toss and decided to bat first. The 1998 winners were put under pressure straight away and when the scorecard read 91/7 in the 25th over, it seemed as if they would be bowled out cheaply. But, middle-order batter James Rew anchored the innings brilliantly and carried out the rescue act for the English team before being dismissed for 95 as they were bowled out for 189 in the 45th over.

In reply, India lost the in-form opener Angkrish Raghuvanshi on the second ball of their chase before Harnoor Singh and Shaik Rasheed added 49 runs for the second-wicket stand. Rashid along with skipper Yash Dhull then tried to reduce the deficit for the Boys In Blue.

However, England were right back in the game after the duo was dismissed in quick succession. When it appeared that the multiple-time champions would run out of fire and brimstone, the middle-order duo of Raj Bawa (35) and Nishant Singh (50*) stitched a 67-run stand for the fifth wicket.

In the end, wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Bana finished things off in style with two big sixes as India were crowned the U19 world champions after a wait of four years.