Raj Bawa creates history in the World Cup final

Raj Bawa became the first Indian cricketer to take a fifer in an ICC competition final as he took 5/31 in Saturday’s U19 World Cup final against England at North Sound, Antigua. Bawa combined with Ravi Kumar, who bagged 4/34, to bowl England out for 189 in the summit clash.

Bawa also became the first player to take five wickets in an ICC U19 World Cup final since Pakistan’s Anwar Ali in 2006. Bawa and Ravi’s heroics in Saturday’s final helped reduce England to 61/6 at one point and 91/7 later on. James Rew, on the other hand, batted bravely for 95 runs to keep England in the game and take them to a total of 189.

Raj Bawa (5/31) ran through the English middle-order with his medium pacers after in-from left-arm seamer Ravi Kumar (4/34) knocked their opponents low with two early knocks.

India continued to take wickets at regular intervals, but the team’s intensity never faltered. With their 93-run eight-wicket stand, Rew and James Sales (34 not out) defied India.

Ravi dismissed the dangerous Jacob Bethell (2) cheaply in the second over for the Yash Dhull-led India. Bengal’s man dashed one in and then got it to hold its line after Bethell absolutely missed it after playing across the line.

The early knock had little effect on George Thomas, who hammered Rajvardhan Hangargekar for 14 runs in the next over, including two fours and a six over deep midwicket.

Ravi bowled out English skipper Tom Prest, who pulled the ball on to his stumps, putting the Indians ahead at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.

Prest, who had won a decent toss earlier, walked back dejected with his team in trouble at 18 for two in the fourth over after failing to complete his pull shot due to a bottom edge.

It was a remarkable achievement for India, who had previously won the tournament in 2000, 2008, 2012, and 2018, as they were forced to field a playing XI when many players caught COVID-19 just hours before their match against Ireland.

The BCCI was forced to bring in precautionary reinforcements when five members of the squad, including captain Yash Dhull and his deputy Shaik Rasheed, missed both the Ireland and Uganda matches.

After winning the toss, England chose to bat, but were bowled out for 189 in 44.5 overs, with pacers Bawa (5/31 in 9.5 overs) and Ravi Kumar (4/34 in 9 overs) sharing the spoils.