Aparajith ready to fire again

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India registered a fighting nine-run win against New Zealand to reach the ICC U-19 World Cup final in Australia on Thursday.

The 2008 champions will now take on defending champions Australia for the coveted title on Sunday. It hasn’t been a breath-taking run in the tournament by the Indian juniors but total teamwork has helped them cross the line when the chips were down.

Among a few remarkable individual performances by the Indians, all-rounder B. Aparajith has come into his own with a series of stupendous displays. The Tamil Nadu all-rounder picked up man-of-the-match awards in both the quarters and semis.

Aparajith has scored 138 runs in five innings which includes a match-winning effort of 51 against Pakistan in the keenly-fought last-eight contest.

Earlier, he picked up the all-important wicket of Pakistan skipper Babar Azam. In the semis, Aparajith shone with the bat again to help India cross the 200-run mark against the Kiwis and later turned his arm for a measly spell.

In addition, the youngster has collected four wickets through his off-breaks and has held half-a-dozen catches overall (which is only second to wicketkeeper S. Patel who has 12 scalps).

With just one more hurdle to cross, Aparajith is not ready to relax. “We would go all out against the Aussies. We have bounced back well after losing the first game against the West Indies. I have improved with each passing game.

The last two outings have been good and I have been timing the ball well. I am happy to be contributing to the team’s cause with my bowling and fielding efforts,” said the teenager.

“The mood in our camp has been upbeat. We believe in each other’s ability and know that we can triumph.”

After the game against Pakistan, Aparajith was seen holding his groin with obvious discomfort. But the young gun has no injury scare now. “There is nothing to worry. I suffered from cramps.

I am totally fit for the final. Australia are a tough nut to crack but on our day we are unbeatable too,” he said.

Aparajith’s dad Dr. RN Baba, who is the secretary of the Thiruvallur District Cricket Association, is positive that his son will play a huge part in the final.

“I was always confident that Aparajith would do well. I am happy the way he has performed with an all-round effort. Aparajith is a big-match player and he would be raring to go against the Australians in the final.

Our boys hold the edge after beating Australia in the previous two outings. It is going to be an exciting title clash,” noted Baba.

Aparajith’s identical twin, Indrajith, expects a solid challenge from the Aussies but believes the boys in blue can go all the way.

“The Australian wickets have generally been bowler-friendly and that has resulted in most matches turning out to be low-scoring affairs.

Playing at home, Australia know the conditions well and they have been consistent throughout the tournament.

Nonetheless, their recent defeats against India wouldn’t have slipped their minds and, as hosts, they enter the contest with added pressure,” said Indrajith.

On his brother’s commendable returns, Indrajith added: “After a quiet start to the tournament, Aparajith has done exceptionally well to find his feet in the Australian conditions.

I spoke to him after the semis — he sounded confident and wants to leave a mark with an all-round show in the final as well.”

Aparajith, who plays for Vijay CC in the TNCA senior division, caught the eye of none other than the former India captain Rahul Dravid earlier this year.

The legend had a word of praise for the youngster. “For an 18-year-old, Aparajith shows a lot of promise. He has his best days ahead of him,” said Dravid.