Pacers give India an edge, says Prithvi Shaw

Mount Maunganui (New Zealand): India Under-19 cricket captain Prithvi Shaw believes the terrific form of his fast bowlers will give the three-time champions an edge when they take on Australia in pursuit of a record fourth ICC World Cup title, here on Saturday.

The Rahul Dravid-coached boys would be aiming to rewrite record books with a fourth title when they square off against an equally formidable Australia in the final.

India and Australia are the two most successful teams in the history of the tournament having won the coveted trophy thrice each.

“Whenever the team's needed them, they (fast bowlers) have provided the breakthroughs. They’re ready whenever I ask them to bowl. They’ve good intensity as well, their fitness is great as well,” Shaw said on the eve of the big match.

“All of them — Kamlesh (Nagarkoti), (Ishan) Porel, (Shivam) Mavi. It helps us all to have a good attitude in the field, we’re all really pumped up when our fast bowlers do well,” he added.

Shaw, however, was not bothered by the fact that the Indian batting line-up has not been tested enough, with the openers getting solid starts in all but one of five matches, including two century partnerships.

To add their strength, number three batsman Shubman Gill has been in scintillating form, aggregating 341 runs at an average of 170.50, including one innings as opener.

“I have confidence that even if we get one partnership, we can take charge of the match and take the score to 250-300. “If you look at our match against Australia too, we put up a good total, even though we lost a couple of wickets after an early partnership. The middle order also controlled the innings well,” Shaw said.

The Indian skipper, though, was cautious and said Australia have improved considerably since the 100-run defeat his side inflicted on them early in the tournament.