Red-hot India will be firm favourites to book a place in the summit clash of the ongoing U-19 World Cup when they take on hosts South Africa in the first semi-final here on Tuesday.
Defending champions India have marched on into the semis on the back of five consecutive wins in the tournament. It has mostly been a team game, with every department rising to the challenge.
If the batters have buried the opponents under a mountain of runs, the bowlers have delivered wins that have exceeded a minimum of 130 runs in terms of margins.
With two centuries and a fifty, the 18-year-old Musheer Khan sits atop the list of batters with most runs in this edition, amassing 334 runs in five outings at 83.50.
Hot on his heels is India skipper Uday Saharan, who has led by example to rake up 304 runs with two fifties and a ton while averaging 61.60.
Each of India’s opponents have hitherto found it difficult to score runs off left-arm spinner Saumy Pandey, whose economy rate of 2.17 has helped him snare 16 wickets, placing him third in the list of most successful bowlers in this World Cup.
Besides India’s winning run, their recent success against South Africa also makes them favourites to book a place in the final, which could witness a possible blockbuster India-Pakistan clash.
Pakistan will take on Australia in the second semi-final here at the Willowmoore Park.
Match starts: 1.30pm IST
With inputs from PTI
