India has once again asserted its dominance in the U19 cricket arena, securing a remarkable fifth consecutive World Cup final spot with a thrilling two-wicket triumph over South Africa in Benoni on Tuesday.
The intense encounter played out in Benoni, where the defending champions, choosing to chase after winning the toss, demonstrated their mettle in a clash against the host nation.
In the semi-final showdown, spectators were treated to a captivating display of skill and determination as India faced the challenging task of chasing down South Africa's competitive total.
Despite early setbacks, with the scoreboard reading 32/4 by the 12th over, the Indian team, under the leadership of the dynamic duo of captain Uday Saharan (81) and Sachin Dhas (96), orchestrated a stunning comeback.
Uday Saharan and Sachin Dhas starred in a gripping semi-final win for India 👌
— ICC Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) February 6, 2024
Details 👇#U19WorldCup #INDvSAhttps://t.co/x7jb5Z9NmJ
South Africa's Kwena Maphaka left an early impact, claiming Adarsh Singh's wicket in the opening over, while Tristan Luus added to India's woes with two more crucial dismissals in his opening spell. However, Saharan and Dhas joined forces to stage a remarkable partnership, guiding India back into contention.
The turning point unfolded in the 43rd over when Maphaka dismissed Dhas. Still, the resilient pair of Saharan and Raj Limbani ensured a composed finish. Limbani nervously struck the winning runs off the second last ball of the 49th over, sealing India's place in the final and extending their U19 World Cup dominance.
South Africa's innings, marked by a strong start and later pressure from India's spinners, witnessed Lhuan-dre Pretorius as the top scorer with 76 runs. Late contributions from Tristan Luus bolstered South Africa's total to 244/7.
As the final showdown is scheduled for Sunday, November 11, India will eagerly await the winner between Pakistan and Australia in the second semi-final, set to take place on February 8.
The cricketing world eagerly anticipates the culmination of the U19 World Cup, where India's young cricketers have once again showcased their resilience and prowess on the global stage.
