Potchefstroom (South Africa): Yashasvi Jaiswal, Kartik Tyagi and Akash Singh dazzled as India defeated Australia by 74 runs to enter the semi-finals of the ICC Under-19 World Cup on Tuesday (January 28).

Yashasvi Jaiswal had to paper over the cracks of a poor start with the bat and hauled his side up to 234, which they easily defend thanks to the fine bowling of Kartik and Akash.

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Kartik’s inspired bowling display helped India seal a place in the U-19 World Cup semi-finals for the third tournament in succession.

The medium-pacer claimed three wickets in six balls to quash the efforts of the three-time champions to chase down 234. Akash’s hat-trick later in the innings dismantled Australia for 159 in 43.3 overs.

Kartik eventually finished with four for 24, while fellow seamer Akash nabbed 3/30 to send the defending champions into the last four.

“I’m happy with this win, we played very well,” Kartik (pictured above) said. “The focus was not on process, but taking wickets is, hitting the right areas is within our control and we did that well today.”

India didn’t have everything their own way. After losing the toss and being put in to bat, they found themselves limping on 114/5 in the 31st over with Yashasvi (62 off 82 balls) the only constant in the early part of their innings.

But with him gone someone needed to stand up. Fortunately for the Asian side, Atharva Ankolekar (55 not out off 54 balls) provided them with some lower-order impetus, and along with Ravi Bishnoi (30) and Siddhesh Veer (25), managed to lift them to a competitive total of 233/9.

After Jake Fraser-McGurk (0) was run out without facing a delivery from the first ball, Tyagi rocked the Aussies to leave them flailing at 17 for four.

Sam Fanning’s fighting 75 gave them hope during a stand of 81 with Liam Scott (35), but Singh dismissed the former and Todd Murphy (0) either side of a run-out to make it three in a row and seal a fine win.

Brief scores

India 233/9 in 50 overs (Yashasvi Jaiswal 62, Atharva Ankolekar 55; Corey Kelly 2/45, Todd Murphy 2/40) beat Australia 159 all out in 43.3 overs (Sam Fanning 75, Liam Scott 35; Kartik Tyagi 4/24, Akash Singh 3/30).