Benoni, South Africa (February 11, 2024): India’s quest for a record-extending sixth U-19 World Cup title ended in heartbreak today as they fell short by 79 runs against Australia in the final. This marks the third time in the last seven months that India has lost an ICC final to their trans-Tasman rivals, further highlighting Australia’s dominance in major tournaments.
Chasing a challenging target of 254 runs, India’s batting faltered, collapsing from a promising start to be bundled out for 174. While Arshdeep Singh (47) and Raj Angad (37) provided early hope, Australia’s disciplined bowling attack, led by Mahli Beardman’s three wickets, pegged India back at regular intervals.
Earlier, Australia set the tone with a strong batting performance. Harjas Singh top-scored with 55, while valuable contributions from Harry Dixon (42), Hugh Weibgen (48), and Oliver Peake (46 not out) helped them post a competitive total. For India, Raj Limbani was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets.
Australia’s captain, Jack Fraser, praised his team’s performance, saying, “We knew it would be a tough battle, but the boys stuck to their plans brilliantly. This is a special moment for all of us.”
Indian captain Uday Saharan, visibly disappointed, acknowledged the challenge, “Australia put up a formidable total, and we couldn’t quite chase it down. Credit to them for playing good cricket throughout the tournament.”
This defeat adds to India’s recent struggles in ICC finals, having lost the senior World Test Championship and ODI World Cup finals to Australia in 2023. While the young Indian team showed promise throughout the tournament, they ultimately fell short on the biggest stage.
The result has sparked mixed reactions from fans and experts. Some expressed disappointment, urging the youngsters to learn from their mistakes. Others highlighted the positives, praising their fighting spirit and potential.
Despite the loss, the tournament provided a platform for several talented young Indian players to showcase their skills. The future remains bright for Indian cricket, and this experience will surely serve as valuable learning for the upcoming generation.
