INDIA REACHES FINAL OF U-19 CRICKET WORLD CUP; CRUSHES PAKISTAN BY 203 RUNS IN SEMIFINAL

NAVJOT SINGH SIDHU CONGRATULATES INDIA U-19 CRICKET TEAM

· TERMS SHUBHMAN GILL AS FUTURE OF INDIAN CRICKET
· CREDITS EXCEPTIONAL COACHING OF RAHUL DRAVID FOR VICTORY

CHANDIGARH, JANUARY 30, 2018: The Cabinet Minister, Punjab, Mr.Navjot Singh Sidhu has congratulated the U-19 Cricket team of India for reaching the finals of the U-19 World Cup. The Indian team today crushed arch rivals Pakistan by 203 runs in the semifinal clash of the prestigious tournament. The minister extended his best wishes to the Indian team for the 3rd February final against Australia and prayed for the ultimate glory to come team India's way. Mr. Sidhu credited the exceptional coaching of ex-India cricketer and team coach Rahul Dravid for this shining achievement. He said that Rahul Dravid played a yeoman's role in shaping up and honing the skills of the Indian team.

In a statement here today, Mr. Sidhu said that Indian boys delievered par excellence performance in Batting, Bowling as well as Fielding. Having a special word of praise for Shubhman Gill who blasted a century (102 Not Out), Mr. Sidhu said that this gem of an innings especially paved the way for the victory of Indian team. He even termed Shubhman Gill as the future of Indian cricket. He also lauded the performance of the Indian bowlers.

Divulging more, Mr. Sidhu said that U-19 players form the nucleus of the senior team in near future and the current performance of the team assures him that the future of Indian cricket is secure. The Indian team has so far been enjoying an unbeaten run in the U-19 World Cup. Earlier, in the quarterfinals the Indian team beat Bangladesh where as in the league phase, the Indian team topped the group by defeating Australia, Zimbabwe and Papua New Guinea. The Indian team has made it to the finals of the tournament for the 6th time. the team has won the U-19 World Cup thrice in 2000, 2008 and 2012.