Any cricket fan in Potchefstroom should keep their eyes on India’s u.19 World Cup team.

Not are they only a talented group of youngsters, but in a couple of years they will be the big stars of the international stage. This could be a big claim, but if you look at their 74-run demolition of Australia in the 2020 ICC u.19 Cricket World Cup quarter-final at JB Marks Oval yesterday you would start to agree.

Photos: Wouter Pienaar

The man of the moment for India was their right arm seamer, Kartik Tyagi, who stunned Australia in the first over of their chase of 233. Tyagi (4/24) aimed at the stumps and was deadly accurate to leave Australia at 4/3. It also did not help that Jake Fraser-McGurk was run out on the first ball of the innings after a terrible mix up with him and Sam Fanning. Tyagi is one of India’s bright talent and already has an Indian Premier League contract with the Rajastan Royals.

Another superstar for India is Ravi Bishnoi, the leg spinner that keeps batsmen guessing. Throw in all rounder and spinner, Atharva Ankolekar and left arm pacer, Sushant Mishra, and you have a World Cup winning bowling attack.

For the first time this World Cup, India had a tough day with the bat, clawing their way to 233/9. Only Yashavi Jaiswal with 62 and Ankolekar with a superb 55* in the latter part of innings could muster decent scores. Credit must be given to the Aussie bowlers, Corey Kelly (2/45) and Todd Murphy (2/40) for keeping things tight.

Although India mustered an average total, their bowlers stepped up under pressure and delivered a comfortable win. It was only Fanning with a grinding 75 (127) who offered resistance as Australia’s World Cup hopes were dashed bowled out for 159.

The second quarter final takes place in Benoni today as West Indies take on New Zealand.