Australia won their fifth ICC Under-19 World Cup beating India by a convincing score of 79 runs in a thrilling final at Willowmoore Park in Benoni, South Africa. The Indian colts battled hard to chase down the Aussies tough 254 runs but they were ultimately undone by a disciplined bowling assault and their batting inconsistency.
Australia after winning the toss chose to bat first and were the groundwork for their victory with a strong top-order performance. Openers Harry Dixon (42) and Hugh Weibgen (48) got off to a solid start putting together an important 94-run combination before breaking apart quickly. The middle order then took over with Harjas Singh leading the way with a well-compiled 55. Ryan Hicks (20) and Oliver Peake (46*) made significant contributions to Australia’s final score of 253/7.
India’s pursuit began brightly with Adarsh Singh (47) and Arshin Kulkarni (3) gaining early traction. However, Kulkarni’s departure caused a mini-collapse and India found themselves dangerously situated at 40/2. Musheer Khan (22) and Uday Saharan (8) sought to rebuild the innings but their resistance was brief.
The dismissal of Sachin Dhas (9) indicated a turning point in the chase with wickets falling at regular intervals afterward. Despite a valiant fifty from Murugan Abhishek (42) and a late cameo from Naman Tiwari (14*) India was never completely in command eventually falling to the Australian bowling attack for 174 all out.
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Callum Vidler (2/35) and Mahli Beardman (3/15) were Australia’s standout bowlers, targeting the Indian batsmen’s vulnerabilities with pace and accuracy. The triumph caps an incredible journey for the young Australians who demonstrated resilience, adaptability, and outstanding talent throughout the competition.
For India, the defeat ends their World Cup goals but they can still hold their heads high after a valiant campaign. They showed flashes of brilliance, especially in their stunning come-from-behind triumph over England in the semi-finals.
A comprehensive victory for the Australia U-19 team over the India U-19 team in the U19 World Cup final 🔥#INDU19vAUSU19 #U19WorldCup2024 #U19WorldCupFinal #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/85DIIUwejL
— InsideSport (@InsideSportIND) February 11, 2024
The U19 World Cup final provided a stage for future stars to shine. Youngsters from Australia including Harry Dixon, Hugh Weibgen, and Harjas Singh as well as Adarsh Singh and Murugan Abhishek from India have made their international debuts and look to be fascinating prospects in the coming years.
The tournament also highlighted the growing depth and competitiveness of youth cricket globally. Teams like Sri Lanka and South Africa emerged as strong contenders showcasing the bright future of the sport. As the dust settles on another enthralling edition of the U19 World Cup one thing is certain the future of cricket is indeed in safe hands.