Trinidad, Jan 20 (IANS): A depleted India side, missing six players due to COVID-19 cases, progressed to the quarterfinals of the ICC Under-19 Men's Cricket World Cup with a 174-run win over Ireland at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy.
The four-time champions made 307/5 from their 50 overs, thanks to the batting unit coming to the party and then the bowlers did a good job of bowling out Ireland for 133 in 39 overs to be on top of Group B.
The win was majorly set up by opener Harnoor Singh making 88 off 101 balls with 12 boundaries and was involved in a 164-run partnership with Angkrish Raghuvanshi, who made a run-a-ball 79, at the top.
After stand-in captain Nishant Sandhu and Raj Bawa made 36 and 42 respectively, Rajvardhan Hangargekar played a blinder of a cameo in the last two overs to help India go past 300.
Hangargekar first slammed Matthew Humphreys for two sixes in the 49th over before smacking Muzamil Sherzad for a hat-trick of sixes and a four on the last four balls of the innings to give India an imposing total.
In reply, Ireland were never in the reckoning to chase a mammoth score of 308. The powerplay proved tricky for Ireland to get a foothold in the match as they lost three wickets and never managed to keep up with the required run rate.
Any hopes of a fightback finally went when Joshua Cox's thick edge was caught at the second attempt by wicketkeeper Dinesh Bana as he headed back to the pavilion for 28. With Scott MacBeth departing for 32, the result of the match was a foregone conclusion.
Ireland were eventually bowled out for 133, with Aneeshwar Gautam perhaps the pick of the Men in Blue attack with figures of two for 11 at an economy of 2.75 with Garv Sangwan and Kaushal Tambe taking two wickets each.
India next face Uganda on January 22, where a win would see them secure top spot in Group B, while Ireland will face South Africa on January 21.
Brief Scores: India 307/5 in 50 overs (Harnoor Singh 88, Angkrish Raghuvanshi 79; Muzamil Sherzad 3/79) beat Ireland 133 all out in 39 overs (Scott MacBeth 32, Joshua Cox 28; Aneeshwar Gautam 2/11, Garv Sangwan 2/23) by 174 runs.