U-19 World Cup Final: Anukul Roy takes 2 wickets against OZ, tops wicket list

Christchurch: India Under-19 star Anukul Roy on Saturday became the joint highest wicket taker alongside Afghanistan's Qais Ahmad and Canada's Faisal Jamkhandi in the ongoing ICC Under-19 World Cup in New Zealand after picking up 14 wickets in 6 matches at an average of 9.07. He has also recorded one five-wicket haul in the tournament.

In a condition where fast bowlers were expected to create havoc with pace and bounce, Roy with his spin troubled batsmen on his way to the top.

He started with solitary wicket against Australia in the first game of the tournament. The 19-year-old then bowled his best spell of the tournament, where he picked up 5 wickets for 14 runs against Papua New Guinea in the second match of the league stage as India won the match by 10 wickets.

In the final game against Zimbabwe, he was once again the chief destroyer as he conceded only 20 runs in 7.1 overs and picked up 4 wickets as India once again completed 10 wicket victory over the African nation.

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In the quarterfinal match against Bangladesh, Roy bowled 5 overs and picked up a solitary wicket at an economy of 2.80. He was once again among the wicket-takers in India’s semi-final match against arch-rivals Pakistan. He bowled just two overs and picked up 1/11.

In the final, Roy picked up 2/32 in the final against Australia to top the chart due to a better average.

This was a tournament to remember for the youngster as his hard work earned him a contract with Indian Premier League side Mumbai Indians, where he will play with some great players of the game.