U-19 World Cup
Benoni, Feb 6: In, perhaps, a lesson for the senior side, which has often come up short in the business end of ICC events after bossing the group stages, the Indian U-19s survived a top-order collapse and rode on masterful knocks from skipper Uday Saharan and Sachin Dhas to reach the final of the showpiece event with a nervy two-wicket win over South Africa at Benoni on Tuesday.
After being reduced to 32/4 in the face of hostile opening bursts from the South African quicks, Saharan and Dhas came together and steered the Indian innings with a match-turning 172-run partnership. India will now take on the winner of the second semi-final between Australia and Pakistan in the title clash on February 11.Chasing a modest target of 245 runs, the five-time world champions got off to a terrible start losing opener Adarsh Singh off the very first ball.
Star batter Musheer Khan, who came into this match on the back of two centuries and fifty in the tournament, was also dismissed by Tristan Luus, with India reduced to 8/2 in 3.2 overs.
Luus continued his dominance over the Indian top order, removing Arshin Kulkarni (12) and Priyanshu Moliya (5). India sunk further to 32/4 in 11.2 overs and their scoring was stifled by a disciplined and hostile South African new-ball attack.
Skipper Saharan and Sachin Dhas started the rebuilding phase for India, taking the team to the 50-run mark in 17.2 overs.
Dhas released some pressure by smashing Riley Norton for three fours in the 19th over. Dhas and Saharan completed their 50-run stand in 65 balls.With the help of a wide, India reached the 100-run mark in 24.3 overs.With a fine boundary through the mid-wicket, Dhas reached his half-century in 47 balls, smashing nine fours towards the landmark.India reached the 150-run mark in 33.3 overs.With the help of a boundary by Saharan, India reached the 200-run mark in 40.4 overs, nearing a win.
Earlier, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Richard Seletswane’s fighting knocks and a late 23-run cameo from Tristan Luus propelled South Africa to 244/7 against India in the mouthwatering semifinal clash of the ongoing Under-19 World Cup 2024 in Benoni. (Agencies)