Uday Saharan-led India's batting lineup faltered when it needed the most, leading to a heartbreaking 79-run defeat against Australia in the final of the U-19 World Cup held in Benoni on Sunday. Choosing to bat first, Australia posted a challenging total of 253 for seven, propelled by Oliver Peake's dynamic 43-ball 46 and Harjas Singh's composed 55 off 64 balls. Subsequently, Australia returned to bowl out the five-time champion India for 174 runs in 43.5 overs, clinching their fourth U-19 World Cup title. In pursuit of 254, opener Adarsh Singh contributed a resilient 77-ball 47, but India's batting lineup faced consistent setbacks, collapsing to 122 for eight in 31.5 overs.
Despite a spirited effort from No. 8 batsman Murugan Abhishek, who scored 42 runs off 46 balls, India's revival came too late and proved insufficient to alter the outcome.
Uday Saharan rues India's heartbreaking loss
Meanwhile, India skipper rued India's agonising defeat against Australia in the Under-19 World Cup 2024 final. He admitted that Indian batters played a few rash shots and didn't spend time in the middle which eventually led to their defeat.
“I'm proud of the boys, they played really well. Showed good fighting spirit throughout the tournament. We played a few rash shots today, didn't spend time in the middle. We were prepared but couldn't execute the plans. Lots of learnings from this tournament, learnt a lot from the support staff and even during the games. We will try to keep learning and getting better,” Saharan said in the post-match representation.
History haunts India
Meanwhile, the defeat evoked memories of the Indian senior team's heart-wrenching loss to Australia in the 50-over World Cup final held at home in November of the previous year. For Australia, seamer Mahli Beardman, claiming three wickets for 15 runs, and off-spinner Raf MacMillan, securing three wickets for 43 runs, inflicted significant damage on the Indian batting lineup. Callum Vidler (two for 35) and Charlie Anderson (one for 42) also contributed with crucial breakthroughs.
In the earlier innings, Harjas led the scoring for Australia with 55 runs, complemented by Hugh Weibgen and opener Harry Dixon, who contributed 48 and 42 runs, respectively. Later in the innings, Oliver Peake bolstered Australia's total with his brisk innings.
Raj Limbani emerged as the most successful Indian bowler, clinching three wickets for 38 runs, while Naman Tiwari secured two wickets for 63 runs in his nine overs.
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