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India's U19 cricket team achieved a dramatic victory to secure their place in the U19 World Cup final for the fifth consecutive time, following an edge-of-the-seat match against the host nation, South Africa. The Indian cricket community, including cricket luminaries such as Sourav Ganguly and Gautam Gambhir, showered praise on the young squad for their remarkable performance in this crucial tournament.
The resilience and tenacity displayed by the Indian U19 team were celebrated by Gautam Gambhir, who expressed his excitement over the team's performance. Sourav Ganguly also extended his congratulations to both the Indian and South African teams for delivering an enthralling contest.
India elect to field first
Opting to bat second for the first time in the tournament, the Indian U19 team faced its first instance of allowing an opponent to score over 200 runs in the 2024 U19 World Cup. The bowling efforts were led by Raj Lambani, who took 3 wickets for 60 runs, and Musheer Khan, who claimed 2 wickets for 43 runs, as South Africa set a challenging target of 245 runs.
A horrendous start to the run chase for India
India's chase got off to a rocky start, with South Africa's Kwena Maphaka delivering a stunning blow by dismissing Indian opener Adarsh Singh with the first ball of the innings. The early setbacks continued as Musheer Khan and Arshin Kulkarni departed soon after, leaving India in a precarious position at 32 for 4.
Uday Saharan and Sachin Dhas exhibit maturity beyond their age
Despite the early jolts, captain Uday Saharan and Sachin Dhas mounted a formidable 171-run partnership, pulling India back from the brink of defeat. Dhas played an attacking innings, hitting 11 boundaries and a six on his way to a 95-ball 96, while Saharan played a more measured innings, contributing 81 runs. Their partnership was further aided by a series of extras from the South African bowlers.
As the match neared its conclusion, India faced a tense finish after Dhas's departure led to a run-out of Abhishek Murugan. With the scores tied at 244, a dramatic moment unfolded as Saharan was dismissed in an attempt to secure the winning run. However, India managed to cross the finish line, securing a narrow win by 2 wickets in a nail-biting finish.
This victory not only highlighted the Indian U19 team's determination and skill but also ensured their advancement to their ninth U19 World Cup final, underlining their dominance in youth cricket on the global stage.
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