Welcome to the coverage of the ICC Under-19 World Cup final between India and Pakistan, in Potchefstroom, on Sunday.
No country can better the four titles that India have won since first reigning supreme in 2000, with Priyam Garg’s side now looking for back-to-back tournament wins for the first time.
But the defending champions will have to work hard to defend their crown at JB Marks Oval, with Bangladesh seeking glory in what has already been an historic tournament in South Africa.
Never before have the Tigers reached the Super League final, their previous best efforts coming on home turf when finishing third in 2016. This year, however, they have broken through to show the world what they are all about – bidding to turn their maiden final into a first victory in Potchefstroom.
Such has been their dominance in recent years, you have to go back as far 2014 for the last time India weren’t in the final.
Indeed the only game they have lost in the past six years was the 2016 final, their ongoing 11-game winning run showing exactly why they have become the high-flyers in the Under-19 Cricket World Cup.
This edition has been no different, losing just four wickets in their opening three matches to top Group A ahead of New Zealand, Sri Lanka and debutants Japan.
From there they have not stopped, comprehensively beating three-time champions Australia in the Super League Quarter-Finals before chasing down 173 without losing a wicket against rivals Pakistan.
With four scores of 50 or more in his five games, Yashasvi Jaiswal’s 312 runs see him top of the charts ahead of the final – needing 38 more to score the second-most runs by an Indian in a single U19 World Cup, behind Shikhar Dhawan.
His side have impressed with the ball as well, with Ravi Bishnoi needing four more scalps to finish atop the wicket-taking charts for South Africa 2020.
“Being in the final means a lot to us, we had ten practice games before the tournament got started and got used to the conditions and pitches around the country,” said Garg.
“It will be a good game for everyone, the team bonding and spirit is really good, the backroom staff have helped us through that journey and we’re looking forward to it.
“We’ve had a good experience all over South Africa, there has been great organisation and the BCCI have really supported us.”