U-19 World Cup: India take on New Zealand in the semi-finals

KUALA LUMPUR, February 26: High on confidence, a rampaging Indian team would guard against complacency to settle for nothing less than a win against New Zealand in the semi-finals of the Under-19 Cricket World Cup on Wednesday.
Indians, who came here after a successful tour of South Africa, would be motivated to cross the semi-final hurdle to clinch the Cup which they had lost to Pakistan in the previous edition at Colombo in 2006.
In video: Indian Under-19 team to take on NZ in WC semis
But on Wednesday would be a big day for Indians as New Zealand, who beat Sri Lanka by 80 runs in their quarter-final match on Monday, would be eager to avenge their narrow six-run loss in the league stage as they meet in the day-night affair at the Kinrara Oval.
New Zealand coach Kane Williamson warned the Indians that his team was constantly improving its game.
"We have been improving with every game," he said. The teenagers, led by Delhi's Virat Kohli, have so far done almost everything right in their quest to the ultimate glory with a consistent performance from batsmen as well as the bowlers.
Although their top-order batsmen have been a bit of concern, the Indians would rely on the presence of the tournament's highest-scoring batsmen - Taruwar Kohli with 207 runs and Tanmay Sriavstava with 203 runs.
Opener Taruwar Kohli has three half centuries in four games while Srivastava has two fifties to his credit.
Skipper Virat Kohli's 74-ball 100 has been the fastest in the tournament and aggregated 173 runs at an impressive strike rate of 107.45.
Looking ahead to the semi-final, Taruwar Kohli said he was confident that the team would play up to its potential in the day-night affair.
"We just have to play to our potential, that's all. And whatever the situation demands, we will play up to that," he said.
The bowling department also appeared to be rising up to the occasion as they impressed in the quarter-final match by restricting England to a paltry total.
For the records, slow left-arm bowler Iqbal Abdulla occupies sixth position with nine wickets in his kitty at an average of 9.11.
South Africa will meet Pakistan in another semi-final on Friday.