After their emphatic 10-wicket win against Australia U-19, the India U-19 squad was brimming with confidence. The energy in the camp was high, and every player was determined to carry the momentum forward.
Their next two group-stage matches were against Papua New Guinea U-19 and Zimbabwe U-19, two teams that were relatively weaker on paper. But Advay Rai made sure the team didn't get complacent, approaching each game with the same intensity.
Second Match – India U-19 vs Papua New Guinea U-19
India's dominance was on full display in this match. Batting first, they put up a massive total of 328/5 in 50 overs, with strong performances from the top and middle order.
Advay Rai played a fluent knock of 82 off 68 balls, setting the tone.Shubman Gill (91) and Riyan Parag (67)* built on the momentum, punishing the PNG bowlers.A late flourish from Abhishek Sharma (37 off 18)* ensured India crossed the 300-mark.
When it was time to bowl, the Indian bowlers ran through Papua New Guinea's lineup like a storm.
Shivam Mavi (3/14) and Arshdeep Singh (2/12) dismantled the top order.Pankaj Yadav (3/20) spun a web around the lower order.PNG was bowled out for just 86 in 24 overs.
India won the match by 242 runs, their biggest victory of the tournament so far.
Third Match – India U-19 vs Zimbabwe U-19
Having already secured a quarterfinal spot, India still went all-out to finish the group stage on a high note.
Zimbabwe won the toss and chose to bat first. Their openers showed some resistance early on, but once the spinners were introduced, their innings crumbled.
Pankaj Yadav (4/19) and Anukul Roy (3/25) spun Zimbabwe into trouble.They were bowled out for just 138 in 37 overs.
India made quick work of the chase.
Prithvi Shaw (62 off 43) played freely, dismantling the bowling attack.Advay Rai (56 off 49)* remained unbeaten, calmly guiding India home.
India chased down the target in just 18.2 overs, winning by 9 wickets.
Final Group Standings – 2018 U-19 World Cup
With three dominant wins, India topped Group B, finishing as one of the strongest teams in the tournament.
Group A
New Zealand U-19 (Q) South Africa U-19 (Q) West Indies U-19 Kenya U-19
Group B
India U-19 (Q) Australia U-19 (Q) Zimbabwe U-19 Papua New Guinea U-19
Group C
England U-19 (Q) Bangladesh U-19 (Q) Canada U-19 Namibia U-19
Group D
Pakistan U-19 (Q) Afghanistan U-19 (Q) Sri Lanka U-19 Ireland U-19
(Q = Qualified for the Super League Quarterfinals)
India had stormed into the quarterfinals, showing no signs of weakness. Their bowlers were firing, their batters were in peak form, and their captain, Advay Rai, was leading from the front.
Now, the real challenge awaited—the knockout stage.
The next morning, January 18, 2018, the India U-19 team gathered in the hotel lobby, dressed in casual clothes, excited for a day off. After dominating the group stage, they deserved a break, and what better way to unwind than a trip to the aquarium?
"Finally, a day without training or meetings," Riyan Parag sighed, stretching his arms as they waited for their bus.
"Yeah, man," Prithvi Shaw grinned. "Feels weird, right? Like we're supposed to be doing drills or something."
"Well, we could make you run laps around the aquarium," Abhishek Sharma teased. "Just to keep the rhythm going."
"You do that, and I'll throw you into the shark tank," Riyan shot back, making everyone laugh.
Soon, their bus arrived, and they all piled in, the mood light and full of energy. The drive through Auckland was smooth and scenic, with views of the harbor flashing past.
When they reached Kelly Tarlton's Sea Life Aquarium, the excitement grew. The moment they stepped inside, they were greeted by huge glass tunnels filled with vibrant marine life—schools of colorful fish, slow-gliding stingrays, and massive sharks lurking in the shadows.
"Whoa," Shivam Mavi muttered, craning his neck as a giant stingray glided above their heads.
"That thing is massive," Kamlesh Nagarkoti said. "Imagine being stuck in the water with it."
"I'd rather not," Shubman Gill smirked. "Though I bet Advay would just stand there calmly, like, 'It won't hurt me unless I give it a reason to.'"
The group burst into laughter, and Advay, who had been quietly observing the fish, just shook his head.
"You guys are dramatic," he said, smirking. "It's just a stingray."
As they walked deeper into the tunnels, they came across the shark exhibit. Several species swam gracefully above them, their sharp fins slicing through the water.
"Man, these guys look terrifying," Shivam said. "But also kinda cool."
"Yeah, like Nagarkoti when he's running in for a fast bouncer," Arshdeep Singh added.
"Please, I'm way scarier than a shark," Kamlesh replied, puffing out his chest, making everyone laugh.
Advay stood near the glass, watching the sharks move effortlessly through the water. He wasn't thinking about cricket—just appreciating how powerful yet calm they seemed.
"I heard some sharks don't even need to sleep," Shubman said. "They just keep moving."
"That's literally Advay," Riyan muttered. "With that ability of his where one hour of sleep feels like two."
Advay chuckled. "That's because I'm built different."
They continued exploring the aquarium, stopping at the penguin exhibit, watching the tiny birds waddle around.
"Bro, I swear that one looks like Prithvi," Riyan joked, pointing at a particularly chubby penguin.
"Say that again and I'm throwing you in," Prithvi shot back, making the whole group crack up.
They took a bunch of photos, messing around and making jokes, enjoying the rare moment of relaxation.
By the time they stepped out of the aquarium, the sun had started to set.
"Alright, that was fun," Abhishek said, stretching. "But you know what's next?"
"Food," Shubman replied immediately.
Everyone agreed, and with that, they headed off to grab dinner, their spirits high and their focus sharp—because after this, it was back to business. The knockout stage awaited.
The Indian team took the field with intensity and purpose, knowing that a strong bowling performance would put them one step closer to the semifinals. The Bangladesh openers, Pinak Ghosh and Mohammad Naim, walked in with determined faces, but they could feel the pressure as the Indian pacers steamed in with fiery intent.
The first breakthrough came quickly. In just the third over, Shivam Mavi sent in a perfect delivery—full, quick, and nipping in sharply. The ball snuck through the gap between bat and pad, sending the off stump cartwheeling.
Commentator 1: "Bowled him! What a ripper from Mavi! India gets an early breakthrough, and the crowd erupts!"
The Indian team huddled together in celebration, while the Bangladesh dugout looked tense.
Two overs later, Kamlesh Nagarkoti struck again. His raw pace had already troubled the batters, and this time, he delivered a short-of-a-length delivery that got extra bounce. The batter, Mohammad Naim, tried to fend it off, but the ball gloved through to wicketkeeper Harvik Desai.
Commentator 2: "That's another one! Nagarkoti's pace proving too much to handle, and India is off to a dream start!"
At 35/2 in the 10th over, Bangladesh was already in trouble. The Indian pacers were bowling with incredible discipline, not offering any loose deliveries to relieve the pressure.
Then came the big wicket. Arshdeep Singh, with a well-directed short ball, had Saif Hassan—the Bangladesh captain—caught at midwicket while attempting a pull shot. It was a huge moment, and the Indian players knew it.
Commentator 1: "And that's the skipper gone! Arshdeep Singh strikes, and Bangladesh is in all sorts of trouble!"
At 57/3, Bangladesh needed a partnership, but Advay brought in his spinners—Pankaj Yadav and Anukul Roy—to tighten the screws. The move worked immediately.
In his very first over, Pankaj struck twice. His first victim tried to sweep but completely misjudged the length, and the ball hit him plumb in front.
Commentator 2: "That looked close... and the umpire raises his finger! Bangladesh loses another!"
Two balls later, Pankaj bowled a beautifully tossed-up leg-break, drawing the batter out of his crease before spinning away sharply. Harvik Desai whipped off the bails in a flash, sending another batter back.
Commentator 1: "Oh, that's brilliant bowling! A wicket off the first ball, and now a perfect leg-break for the stumping! Bangladesh is falling apart!"
Bangladesh was 75/5 in 17 overs, and India could smell blood.
Riyan Parag and Anukul Roy came in to clean up the lower order.
In the 22nd over, Parag bowled a deceptive off-cutter that shattered the batter's stumps.In the 26th over, Anukul had another batter caught at slip, turning the ball sharply past the outside edge.By the 30th over, Bangladesh was 120/8.
The tail tried to push the total past 150, but in the 34th over, Nagarkoti bowled a thunderous yorker, smashing into the stumps, ending the innings.
Commentator 2: "That's it! Bangladesh is bowled out for just 145! An absolutely ruthless bowling performance from India!"
The Indian players high-fived and celebrated, knowing they had one foot in the semifinals.
As they walked off the field, Advay had a small smirk on his face. 145 wasn't going to be nearly enough.
India's chase was calm, composed, and clinical. Advay Rai and Prithvi Shaw walked onto the field with confidence, knowing the target of 145 was well within reach. The Bangladeshi bowlers, already under pressure, needed something extraordinary to make a game out of it.
The Indian openers started cautiously, respecting the new ball spell. The first few overs saw tight bowling, but it didn't take long before Shaw stepped down the track and lofted one over mid-off for four.
Commentator 1: "And there's the first boundary! Prithvi Shaw not holding back, that's a classy stroke over the infield."
Advay, on the other hand, was playing his usual composed game, rotating the strike and keeping the pressure on the bowlers. In the 7th over, a slightly short delivery was expertly guided through the gap between point and third man for four.
Commentator 2: "Beautiful placement from Advay Rai. Didn't try to hit it too hard, just used the pace of the ball."
By the 10-over mark, India was cruising at 56/0. The Bangladeshi bowlers were running out of ideas, and the field began to spread. Shaw took full advantage, flicking one off his pads for six over deep square leg, bringing the Indian dugout to its feet.
Advay continued to pile on the runs, playing some crisp cover drives and flicks off his pads with textbook precision. In the 19th over, he reached his fifty, bringing it up with a powerful pull shot to the midwicket boundary.
Commentator 1: "Fifty for the Indian captain! Advay Rai continues his brilliant form in this tournament!"
Shaw wasn't far behind, as he too reached his fifty in the 21st over with a gorgeous straight drive past the bowler.
Commentator 2: "Fifty up for Prithvi Shaw! These two are making this chase look effortless!"
With only a few runs left, the two openers finished in style. In the 25th over, Advay drove one past cover for four, bringing up the winning runs.
Final Scores:
Advay Rai – 72 off 64 balls* (9 fours, 1 six)Prithvi Shaw – 68 off 58 balls* (8 fours, 2 sixes)
India U-19: 149/0 in 24.3 overs (Target: 145)
India won by 10 wickets and advanced to the semifinals.
The Indian dugout rushed onto the field, cheering and celebrating with their openers. It had been a statement victory, a show of complete dominance. Advay and Shaw walked off, bats raised, knowing they were now just one step away from the final.
The morning of January 30, 2018, had an electric intensity in the air as India U-19 and Pakistan U-19 prepared to lock horns in the semifinals of the 2018 U-19 World Cup. The entire cricketing world had its eyes on Eden Park, Auckland, where one of the fiercest rivalries in cricket was about to unfold.
The stadium was a sea of blue and green, fans from both nations creating an atmosphere unlike any other. Indian fans waved their tricolors proudly, while Pakistani supporters filled the stands with passionate chants. The sound of drums, whistles, and cheers echoed throughout the ground. This wasn't just any semifinal—it was an India vs Pakistan clash, a match that carried a weight beyond the tournament itself.
In the commentary box, the excitement was palpable.
Commentator 1: "You can feel the energy in the stadium today. This isn't just another knockout game—this is an India-Pakistan semifinal. The history, the emotions, the stakes—everything about this match is on a different level."
Commentator 2: "Absolutely! We've seen some legendary battles between these two sides over the years, and even at the U-19 level, the intensity never fades. A spot in the final is up for grabs, and both these teams will leave nothing to chance."
The camera panned to the middle as the two captains, Advay Rai and Rohail Nazir, walked toward the pitch for the toss. Both leaders looked focused and composed, understanding the magnitude of the moment. The match referee handed Advay the coin, and he flicked it into the air. It spun under the bright Auckland sky before landing in India's favor.
The Indian fans erupted in cheers and applause.
Presenter: "Advay, congratulations on winning the toss! What's your decision?"
Advay gave a calm, confident nod before responding. "We'll bat first."
Presenter: "What's the thinking behind that decision?"
Advay adjusted his gloves slightly before replying. "It's a big game, and we want to set the tone. Our batting lineup has been in great form throughout the tournament, and we back ourselves to put up a strong total. Plus, under pressure, runs on the board always help."
The presenter then turned to Rohail Nazir, who remained composed despite the toss going against him.
Presenter: "Rohail, you'll be bowling first. How do you feel about that?"
Rohail gave a small nod. "We're fine with that. We've chased well in this tournament, and if we can restrict them to a gettable total, we back our batsmen to do the job."
The two captains shook hands, exchanged final words, and walked back toward their teams.
As the Indian squad huddled together, Advay's expression remained calm and composed. His teammates looked at him, waiting for their captain's words before heading out to bat.
"This is just another match, boys," Advay said, his voice steady. "We've played fearless cricket throughout this tournament, and today is no different. Trust yourselves, trust each other, and let's put up a score they can't chase."
The team roared in unison, clapping their hands together.
As the Indian openers began their walk to the crease, the commentators summed up the moment.
Commentator 1: "India has won the toss and elected to bat first in this high-pressure semifinal. All eyes will now be on their openers to provide a strong start."
Commentator 2: "The stage is set. The rivalry is intense. This is India vs Pakistan, and we are in for a thriller!"
The crowd was on its feet, the tension rising with every passing second. The battle had begun.
The Indian openers, Advay Rai and Prithvi Shaw, walked out with purpose and confidence, their body language showing no signs of pressure despite the high-stakes semifinal against their arch-rivals. The Pakistan fielders were buzzing with energy, hoping to get early breakthroughs, while the Indian fans in the stands cheered loudly, waving their flags in excitement.
Shaheen Afridi, Pakistan's most dangerous fast bowler, had the new ball in hand. He ran in with his trademark high-arm action, ready to make an impact in the very first over.
First Over: Afridi's first ball was a full-length outswinger, shaping away from Shaw, who left it alone with a calm expression. The second ball, however, was slightly overpitched, and Shaw leaned into a beautiful cover drive, timing it to perfection for four.
Commentator 1: "Oh, that is glorious! Prithvi Shaw at his best—pure timing, pure class!"
Shaheen adjusted his length, but Shaw flicked him effortlessly through midwicket for another four, making a statement early on.
The second over saw Advay take charge. Facing Musa Khan, he was in complete control, flicking the second ball for four before stepping out and lofting a stunning inside-out drive over extra cover for six. The Indian dugout stood up in appreciation.
Commentator 2: "What a shot from Advay Rai! He dances down the track and sends it over the infield—India is off to a flying start!"
By the fifth over, India was already at 58/0, and Pakistan was feeling the pressure. The bowlers were struggling with their lengths as both batters punished anything loose. Shaw, playing with elegance, drove a half-volley straight down the ground, while Advay pulled a short ball with authority to the square-leg boundary.
Commentator 1: "India is not holding back at all! This is fearless batting from the openers."
Shaheen was brought back for another over in the eighth, but Advay greeted him with a jaw-dropping scoop shot over the wicketkeeper's head for four. The Pakistan captain, Rohail Nazir, looked frustrated, making constant field changes, but nothing seemed to stop the Indian openers.
At the end of 10 overs, India was sitting comfortably at 130/0.
Commentator 2: "This has been an absolute batting masterclass! India is tearing into the Pakistan bowlers, and with a platform like this, they are on course for a massive total!"
The Pakistan team huddled together, urgently discussing tactics, but the damage had already been done. India had firmly taken control of the semifinal, and their openers weren't done yet.
With 20 overs left in the innings, India was 225/3, and Pakistan had just managed to pull things back with three wickets in the middle overs. But with Advay Rai still at the crease, Pakistan knew the damage wasn't done yet.
As Abhishek Sharma walked in, he and Advay had a brief chat at the non-striker's end.
"Let's build this up, and then we go big," Advay said, calm and composed as always.
Abhishek nodded, his role was clear—rotate the strike, keep the scoreboard ticking, and let Advay take charge.
In the 31st over, Advay stepped up the tempo. Musa Khan bowled a length ball outside off, and Advay leaned in and smashed a lofted drive over extra cover for four. A delivery later, a short ball was dispatched over fine leg for six.
Commentator 1: "Oh, he's starting to open up now! That is just effortless batting from Advay Rai!"
Abhishek, on the other hand, was playing smart cricket, taking quick singles and rotating the strike, allowing Advay to keep finding the boundaries.
By the 40th over, India was 302/3, and Advay was in full flow.
The next few overs saw fireworks. Shaheen Afridi returned for his last spell, looking for a breakthrough, but Advay was unstoppable.
In the 43rd over, Advay flicked a searing yorker past midwicket for four, and on the very next ball, he played a scoop shot over the keeper's head for six.In the 46th over, he danced down the track and hammered Munir Riaz over long-off for another massive six.
Commentator 2: "What a shot! Advay Rai is lighting up Eden Park!"
Abhishek, meanwhile, was playing a perfect supporting role, getting the occasional boundary and turning ones into twos with quick running.
As the final over began, India was sitting at 355/3.
Shaheen Afridi ran in to bowl the last over. The first ball, a wide yorker, was brilliantly guided past third man for four by Advay. The next, a full toss, was swatted over deep midwicket for six.
With one ball left in the innings, Shaheen bowled a slower bouncer. Advay, fully prepared, got under it and launched it into the crowd over square leg.
Commentator 1: "That's the perfect finish! A six to end the innings, and India has posted a massive 367/3!"
The Indian dugout stood up in applause, cheering and clapping. The Pakistan players walked off looking drained—they had tried everything, but nothing had stopped Advay Rai.
Final Scores:
Advay Rai – 176 off 142 balls* (18 fours, 5 sixes)Abhishek Sharma – 72 off 58 balls* (7 fours, 2 sixes)
India U-19: 367/3 in 50 overs
It was a batting masterclass, and now, it was up to India's bowlers to finish the job.
India's bowlers delivered a clinical performance, ensuring there was no miracle chase from Pakistan. With a massive target of 368, Pakistan's openers tried to start positively, but India's pace attack struck early.
Kamlesh Nagarkoti and Shivam Mavi removed the openers within the powerplay, setting the tone for the innings. Despite some resistance in the middle order, India's spinners kept the pressure on, forcing false shots and building dot-ball pressure.
As the required rate climbed, Pakistan's batters played rash shots, losing wickets at regular intervals. Pankaj Yadav spun a web around the lower order, picking up three wickets, while Arshdeep Singh cleaned up the tail.
Commentator 1: "It's all falling apart for Pakistan now. India has completely dominated this semifinal!"
By the 44th over, it was all over. Arshdeep fired in a perfect yorker, crashing into the stumps, and the Indian team erupted in celebration.
Final Score:
Pakistan U-19 – 235 all out in 44.2 oversIndia U-19 won by 132 runs
Commentator 2: "A statement victory from India! They've outplayed Pakistan in every department, and they're through to the final!"
The players shook hands, but the contrast was clear—India's camp was all smiles, while Pakistan's players walked off disappointed. The Indian team gathered in a huddle, celebrating yet another dominant victory.
They were now one step away from the trophy.