The Indian Under-19 side notched up their second win of the World Cup to qualify for the quarterfinals after they thrashed minnows Papua New Guinea by 10 wickets, with 252 balls to spare in Mount Maunganui on Tuesday. In doing so, they brought up their most comprehensive win in the history of the Under-19 World Cup.
Skipper Prithvi Shaw slammed a strokeful fifty while spinner Anukul Roy claimed a maiden five-wicket haul at the Bay Oval to earn India the win.
Roy emerged as the wrecker-in-chief for India as he run through the opposition, returning with impressive figures of 14 for 5 after skipper Shaw won the toss and elected to field first under overcast conditions.
The Indians made only one change in their side from the match against Australia. Pacer Arshdeep Singh was brought in to replace injured Ishan Porel, who twisted his ankle in the last match.
Ovia Sam (15) and opener Simon Atai (13) were the top- scorers as Papua New Guinea folded for a paltry 64 in 21.5 over, the tournament's lowest score so far. Five of their batsmen made their way back to the pavilion without scoring a run.
The pair of Shivam Mavi and Kamlesh Nagarkoti, who bowled beautifully against the Aussies, replicated their form and picked up the first three wickets of the day. Mavi picked up two wickets, while Nagarkoti and Arshdeep snapped one wicket each
With an easy target to chase, it looked like the Indian skipper was in a hurry to finish the match. Prithvi scored an unbeaten 57 of 39 and hit 12 boundaries to chase down the target in eight overs
Anukul Roy was adjudged Player of the match for his five wickets.
India will play Zimbabwe in their last group fixture on Friday.
(With inputs from PTI)
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