5 game-changing moments from the U-19 World Cup final

The 2016 Under-19 World Cup champions pose with their trophyIt was after 27 years that teams from India and West Indies collided in a World Cup final. Just like in 1983, this time too, the Indians were dismissed for a score of under 200; however, this West Indies side ensured that they chased the total down, even if it was in the last over.As it turned out, the West Indian Under-19 team led their nation to its first ever World Cup at this level. What makes their achievement all the more special is the fact that the Indian Under-19 team were favorites to win the tournament even before it started.There were a number of game-changing moments in the summit clash of what is considered the holy grail of Under-19 cricket. Here are the 5 key ones:

#1 Failure of India\'s top order

Skipper Ishan Kishan could manage just 4 runs in the final

Throughout the 2016 ICC Under-19 World Cup, India rode some good performances by the top order batsmen to make their way to the final. However, the top four batsmen on the day – Rishabh Pant, Ishan Kishan, Anmolpreet Singh and Washington Sundar – accounted for just 15 runs.

The West Indies bowlers took full advantage of fielding first on a green pitch and ensured India lost 3 wickets in the first 10 overs and 2 more between overs 10 and 20. Openers Pant and Kishan had set the tone for the innings in most matches prior to the final, but their failure to provide a solid start cost Team India badly.

Anmolpreet, on the other hand, was the star of the semi-final and Sundar too had chipped in with a couple of crucial knocks. However, on the D-day, none of them managed to come good with the bat.

#2 Alzarri Joseph\'s incredible opening burst

Alzarri Joseph has been the star bowler for West Indies

Indian hopes of claiming yet another Under-19 World Cup title were severely dashed when they were reduced to 27 for 3 in 6.1 overs with Pant, Kishan and Anmolpreet back in the hut. Pace bowler Alzarri Joseph proved to be the wrecker-in-chief for the West Indies as he dismissed all 3 batsmen.

Joseph’s opening spell of 6 overs saw him give away just 17 runs for his 3 wickets. The lanky Antiguan speedster was the best bowler for his team throughout the tournament as he claimed 13 wickets at an incredible average of just under 14.

The Indian team never fully recovered from Alzarri Joseph’s opening burst as they were bundled out for 145 with 4.5 overs to spare.

#3 Lack of support for Sarfaraz Khan

Sarfaraz could not find adequate support from others

Sarfaraz Khan tried his best to revive the Indian team from its predicament, but it just wasn’t enough to help the cause. The major reason behind this was the fact that India’s leading run-scorer in the tournament failed to get any support from either of his fellow batsmen.

The only two partnerships of significance during Sarfaraz’s fighting knock were his 37-run stand with allrounder Mahipal Lomror and another 29-run partnership with spinner Mayank Dagar. Once both of them perished, the bulky middle-order batsman too followed quickly after a gritty 51 from 89 balls.

The story of the final could have been a completely different one, had even one of the batsmen stuck around with Sarfaraz Khan like in some of the other games.

#4 Keacy Carty\'s highly patient vigil

Carty’s unbeaten fifty sealed the deal for West Indies

West Indian batsman Keacy Carty was an epitome of discipline and determination during his unbeaten 52 in the final of the 2016 ICC Under-19 World Cup. His 125-ball vigil, which consisted of only two boundaries, deservedly won him the Player of the Match award.

At the start of their innings, West Indies were struggling at 28 for 2 when Carty came in and stitched together a crucial 39-run partnership with skipper Shimron Hetmyer. Even after Hetmyer’s dismissal, Keacy Carty was completely unruffled and took his team across the line with a fighting half-century.

Carty had not done much of note in the tournament prior to the final; however, he raised his hand when most needed by the West Indies.

#5 The unbeaten match-winning Carty-Paul combine

Keemo Paul hung around with Keacy Carty to take West Indies across the line

Team India had made a stunning comeback into the match courtesy of some brilliant bowling by left-arm spinner Mayank Dagar. West Indies slipped from being comfortably placed at 67 for 2 to a rather nauseating position at 77 for 5.

With 70 still required for a victory, allrounder Keemo Paul walked in to bat with a decently set Keacy Carty. Both batsmen showed a lot of courage and determination under immense pressure and ate into the Indian total little by little before finally taking West Indies home in the last over.

Carty may have received the Player of the Match award, but Paul's contribution was equally vital to a successful West Indian chase and title triumph.