There it is! Another impressive performance from Team India, as easy as it can get really. Chasing 155, it was only a matter of time before India got over the line. Shubman Gill alongside Harvik Desai started with caution but soon hit the ground running with a slew of breathtaking shots. Both batters got to their respective fifties to see India through, lifting it to the top of the points table.
20 Overs: 140/0
India, riding on half-centuries by Gill (80) and Desai (51), has propelled itself to a winning position. Zimbabwe, on the other hand, is just counting the minutes with the result imminent.
15 Overs: 105/0
Gill (67) and Desai (32) refusing to take their feet off the pedal, Gill's short arm jab for six being the highlight off the last five overs. He is oozing class at the moment, is Gill, as Zimbabwe goes through the motions. Meanwhile, India closing in on yet another convincing victory - its third in as many games. Rahul Dravid will be mighty pleased with this performance!
10 Overs: 68/0
Runs coming thick and fast for India now! Gill (41) and Desai (22) have cut, drove and swept India to complete domination here. Roche, who was bowling beautifully, ended up conceding 15 runs off one over as Gill took him to the cleaners. The target has hurried into view courtesy some aggressive batting from the Young Turks.
5 Overs: 19/0
India has begun the chase on a cautious note. Gill and Desai, replacing Prithvi Shaw and Manjot Kalra at the top, are seeing off the new-ball spell from Liam Roche and Nkosilathi Nungu. That said, both batters have put away bad balls with disdain! Roche has bowled well so far with only five coming off his first three overs.
Shubman Gill and Harvik Desai open the innings for India, Liam Roche to start proceedings with the new ball.
The toss was perhaps the only thing that went Zimbabwe's way in that innings. The Indian bowlers led by spinners Anukul Roy and Abhishek Sharma made light work of the opposition batting line-up.
Although Zimbabwe put up resistance through captain Roche and Shumba, it was only a matter of time before the middle order crumbled. Mavi, with swing and pace, drew first blood whereas Nagarkoti was slightly off colour; struggling for line and length.
This should be a walk in the park for India.
Zimbabwe all out for 154. India needs 155 to win.
45 Overs: 150/8
Zimbabwe needs Nungu and Harrison to hit a few boundaries and get the run rate past four. Anukul Roy's 3 for 20 and Abhishekh Sharma's 2 for 22 have effectively spun the game in India's favour.
40 Overs: 132/7
The scoreboard pressure now telling on Zimbabwe which has lost four wickets for 32 runs, Anukul Roy spinning a web around the opposition batters. The real challenge for Zimbabwe is to bat out the remaining deliveries and get as close to 200 as possible.
Zimbabwe lost three wickets for seven runs - the middle order just couldn't stand the trial by spin!
The average first innings score at the venue: 254 , the average second innings score: 229, with New Zealand's 294/5 against Sri Lanka being the highest total.
35 Overs: 121/6
It's that man again - left-arm spinner Anukul Roy - running through the opposition middle order with flight and turn. Zimbabwe's failure to break the shackles has resulted in it losing wickets in quick intervals.
30 Overs: 100/3
There are no demons in the pitch as evidenced by the ease with which the two batters have worked the singles. That said, India wouldn't mind that. Both Shumba (28) and Roche (23) have laid the platform, now is the time to press the accelerator.
25 Overs: 81/3
Zimbabwe's attempts to rebuild have resulted in Shumba and Roche stealing ones and twos, however, the Indian bowlers have dried up the boundaries. Meanwhile, captain Prithvi Shaw has opted for spin from both ends. The Men in Red need to up the ante!
20 Overs: 64/3
Spin has done the trick for India as Parag got rid off Madevere. Two new batters at the crease for Zimbabwe as it finds runs hard to come by. It needs to take the attack to the opposition.
15 Overs: 43/2
The wicket of Myers has thwarted Zimbabwe's rhythm once again as it struggles to break the shackles. Left-arm spinner Shiva Singh and seamer Arshdeep tightening the noose, with only seven coming off the last five overs!
10 Overs: 35/1
Zimbabwe has added 15 runs off the last five overs, as Myers and Madevere keep the scoreboard ticking. Mavi, guilty of bowling too short, has been duly punished with a flurry of shots from the opposition batters.
5 Overs: 20/1
Gregory Dollar was Shubham Mavi's reward for a fine spell of swing bowling. However, his new-ball partner Nagarkoti has struggled with line and length. Meanwhile, Madevere has kept the Indian fielders on their toes courtesy two delightful looking cut shots.
Gregory Dollar and Wesseley Madevere to open the innings, Mavi to start proceedings with the new ball!
Zimbabwe has won the toss and opted to bat.
Good Morning!
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the U-19 World Cup tie between India and Zimbabwe.
Here's our preview for today's match.
Meanwhile, India virtually sealed its quarterfinal berth on Tuesday, beating Papua New Guinea (PNG) by 10 wickets. Left-arm spinner Anukul Roy finished with career best figures of five for 14 as PNG folded for a paltry 64 runs in the Group B match. Here's how things panned out for Prithvi Shaw and Co.
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