India under-19 captain Yash Dhull led from the front with a splendid century to take the team to the final of the ongoing Under-19 World Cup in the West Indies.
Supported by vice-captain Shaik Rasheed’s brilliant 94, Dhull scored 110 runs, becoming only the third Indian captain after Virat Kohli and Unmukt Chand to register a century in the under-19 World Cup.
India posted 290 on the board before the bowlers asserted their dominance over the Aussie batters without giving any leeway and bowled them out for 194, registering a big 96-run victory that propelled India to their fourth consecutive under-19 World Cup final.
Dhull and his side were showered with immense praises on social media, from fans to cricketers alike. One of which was India’s premier off-spinner, Ravichandran Ashwin, who had a special tweet for Dhull. He lauded the youngster for his high-quality century and backed Dhull for many more in the future.
“The captain Yash Dhull brings up his first hundred and I am sure it’s just the start of a wonderful journey,” Ashwin tweeted.
The captain Yash Dhull brings up his first hundred and I am sure it’s just the start of a wonderful journey. #INDvAUS #Under19WorldCup2022
— Ashwin ?? (@ashwinravi99) February 2, 2022
This tweet by Ashwin has got 20,000 likes. However, one fan posted a negative comment under this. The fan wrote, “hope it doesnt goes the unmukt chand way”.
The fan here reflected how Unmukt Chand, the last India captain to hit a century in the under-19 World Cup, couldn’t live up to the expectations.
Chand hit a match-winning century in the final of the Under-19 World Cup in 2012 against Australia, and was fast-tracked within a year to India A captaincy. He was also bought by Delhi in the IPL. However, his form sunk big and fast and soon was ousted from the IPL side and the Delhi domestic teams.
Last year, Chand made a big call and retired from Indian cricket and moved to the United States of America to play in the Minor League.
Seeing this comment from the fan, Ashwin had an awesome reply. The champion off-spinner asked the fan to promote optimism.
Let’s promote optimism?
— Ashwin ?? (@ashwinravi99) February 2, 2022
India will face England in the final at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua on Saturday, February 5.
Ashwin, meanwhile, has not been selected in India’s team for the upcoming home series against West Indies.
