India skipper Yash Dhull says the team stuck together to tide over a tumultuous phase and reach the semi-finals of the ICC U-19 World Cup, following multiple COVID positive cases in the squad.
India barely managed to field a playing XI for their group match against Ireland after as many as six players, the captain included, returned positive for the highly contagious virus.
“Our team combination has been very good and the boys are gelling well. Whenever someone is down, we all get together to bring them up. It is a lifetime experience here,” Dhull said.
The team showed resilience in the face of adversity and kept winning their matches, the latest being the five-wicket victory over Bangladesh in the quarter-finals on Saturday.
The return of five players after they had tested negative for the virus was a big boost for the team ahead of the last-eight clash.
The four-time winners will face Australia in the semi-finals on Wednesday. Dhull thanked National Cricket Academy (NCA) head VVS Laxman for his guidance during the tournament. The former India batsman has accompanied the team to the West Indies.
“The team is improving day by day. Laxman sir is giving his experience, gives us a lot of help in the middle. We will look at the semis on the day of the match depending on how the wicket is,” Dhull said.
Before contracting COVID, the Delhi-based player showed his worth with a match-winning knock of 82 against South Africa in the team’s opener.
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