Dinesh Bana’s six to seal India’s Under-19 World Cup rekindles MS Dhoni memories from 2011

U19 wicketkeeper Dinesh Bana’s stylish six in the final against England to seal India’s Under-19 World Cup title in Antigua rekindled the memories of MS Dhoni’s iconic shot from the final of the 2011 50-over World Cup. Dhoni’s iconic six-off Nuwan Kulasekara in the 49th over to seal the victory for India is forever etched in the memory of every Indian cricket fan.

11 years after that iconic six, Bana did an MS Dhoni to help India colts chase down a 190-run target against England, getting past the finish line with 4 wickets and 14 balls to spare. Bana, who walked in at No.8, remained unbeaten on 13 off just 5 deliveries. His cameo included two back-to-back sixes.

Winning moment

>India have reiterated their status as the most successful team in the U19 World Cup, winning the title for the 5th time. Yash Dhull follows an illustrious list of captains — Mohammad Kaif (2000), Virat Kohli (2008), Unmukt Chand (2012), Prithvi Shaw (2018) — who have tasted success in the showpiece event in the past.

After being asked to bowl first, India skittled out the opposition for a total — 189 in this case, in 44.5 overs — that failed to put them under pressure. India were all over England before a gritty 95 by James Rew saved his team their blushes.

Bowling his medium pacers to deadly effect, Raj Bawa (5/31) ran through the English middle-order after the in-form left-arm seamer Ravi Kumar (4/34) laid the opposition low with two early blows. India kept taking wickets at regular intervals, but not for once did the intensity of the team drop.

ICC U19 World Cup final, India vs England: Report | Highlights

For close to 19 overs, Rew and James Sales (34 not out) defied India with their 93-run eight-wicket stand, ensuring the 1998 edition winners recover from a horror 61 for six and then 91 for seven. In response, India lost Angkrish Raghuvanshi without a run on the board, but the extremely talented Shaik Rasheed shone with a composed 50 off 84 balls.

Coming off his magnificent century in the semifinal against Australia, skipper Yash Dhull fell for 17, but the duo of Nishant Sindhu (50 not out) and Bawa (35) took the team within striking distance of victory with a 67-run partnership for the fifth wicket.

It was an extremely challenging cycle for the Indian team in this edition of the tournament as multiple players from the side were infected by the coronavirus and at one stage, even struggled to field eleven fit personnel.