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New Delhi, Jan 16: India U19 pacer Henil Patel credited former South Africa pacer Dale Steyn as his inspiration behind his match-winning performance against the USA at the ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup.

Patel delivered a match-winning spell of 5 for 16 against the USA on Thursday as India cruised to a six-wicket win and began their U19 World Cup campaign in style. Patel said that growing up, Steyn was his favourite bowler, and he attempts to copy Steyn’s bowling style.

“What I get from Dale Steyn is that I like his aggression a lot,” Patel told ICC Digital. “His bowling was so good that there was no batter who could play against him easily because he was so tough to face.”

It was the third-best bowling performance by an Indian in any Men’s Under-19 World Cup. Only Kamal Passi’s 6 for 23 against Zimbabwe in 2012 and Anukul Roy’s 5 for 14 against Papua New Guinea in 2018 are better. Three of Patel’s five wickets came during a strong new-ball spell at Queens Sports Club. This left the USA struggling at 34 for 4. The soft-spoken 18-year-old later said that his success early on came from pitching the ball up, aiming for the stumps, and always looking for wickets.

“I have a mindset to get the batter out within three to four deliveries,” Patel declared. “I go into training with a proper mindset, I get my body ready and it’s the same in a match. It’s all about taking early wickets, I go with the same mindset and I stay calm.”

Five-time winners India inserted in the USA after winning the toss, and Henil Patel instantly validated that decision by delivering a fiery opening spell that broke the resistance of the USA top order. The right-arm pacer picked up three wickets inside the first 12 overs as the USA were reduced to 35/4.

The Indians then tightened the screws on the USA middle-order to pick up wickets at regular intervals as Deepesh Devendran, Ambarish RS, Khilan Patel, and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi all picked up a wicket each. Patel then returned to clean up the tail and bag the first fifer of the tournament to bowl USA out for just 107 inside 36 overs.

India will be back in action against Bangladesh for their second game in Group A on Saturday.

Henil Patel is an 18-year old right-arm pacer from India under 19 cricket. He made headlines in the ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup when he tore through the USA batting line-up with five wickets for just 16 runs. This kind of impact from a young bowler makes him one to watch as India seeks another global title in youth cricket.

This was his first major five-wicket haul at a global event and helped India start their tournament with a confident win. India chased the modest total with ease after bowling the USA out for 107 inside 36 overs.

Dale Steyn’s influence on young bowlers

Dale Steyn is widely seen as one of the greatest fast bowlers of his generation. He played for South Africa at the highest level for many years and was known for his pace, movement, and aggression. Steyn’s style made life very hard for batters around the world during his peak. Henil said that Steyn’s aggression is what he tries to copy when he bowls.

For a young pacer, watching clips, learning the way Steyn attacked batters and kept pressure on them can be a big source of confidence. Henil has taken that approach into his training and his matches.

The USA game, step by step

After India won the toss, they chose to bowl first. Henil opened and quickly made an impact, picking three early wickets and leaving the USA struggling at 34 for 4. India’s bowling unit then kept taking wickets in regular turns, with support from Deepesh Devendran, Ambarish RS, Khilan Patel, and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.

The full team effort meant the USA were dismissed cheaply, and India chased the target without much trouble. A strong start like this helps India build confidence for the tougher games ahead in the group stage.

What this performance means in record books

Henil’s figures of 5 for 16 are the third-best bowling figures by an Indian in Under-19 World Cup history. Only two other bowlers, Kamal Passi in 2012 and Anukul Roy in 2018, have better figures. That puts Henil’s performance in elite company among India’s youth bowlers.

India’s next match

India’s next game is against Bangladesh in Group A. That match will be important for India’s chances to carry momentum into the next stage, often called the Super Six. A good performance here would make India favorites to go deep into the tournament.