Player of the Day: Ravneet Ricky

Over fifty matches have been completed in the Under-19 World Cup so far. There have plenty of one sided matches with big guns taking on inexperienced sides. Yet there had been only two centuries in the tournament when India took on Australia in the semifinals. Today, Ravneet Ricky slammed 108 and increased that count.

Opening the batting with panache, Ricky played and missed more than once as the ball moved a bit and came through with variable speed of a damp wicket. However, Ricky continued unfazed and went after anything that was there to be hit. When the ball was short he got into position early and pulled the ball away with ease. The full deliveries got more punishment. Ricky read the pace of the wicket well and once the moisture dried up he was eager to get on the front foot. Ricky gave the bowling the full face of the bat and that held him in good stead.

His 108 included 12 boundaries. Though Yuvraj Singh took some of the limelight away with an express fast half century, it was Ricky's century that was the backbone of the Indian innings. More importantly, it was the platform on which India launched their drive for victory.