'U-19 Team Results Don't Matter Much': Former India Star on Australia Winning Junior World Cup

The Indian men’s junior cricket team had a spotless campaign until the final of the 2024 ICC U-19 World Cup where they came up short against Australia on Sunday. The Uday Saharan-led side enjoyed an unbeaten run to the title clash, similar to the senior Indian men’s team at the 2023 ODI World Cup.

The similarity didn’t end  there. Both the Indian teams ended up having their ‘bad day’ in the final and that too against an Australian team.

Also Read: Kanitkar Confident 2024 U19 World Cup Stars Will Graduate to Senior Indian Team

The Rohit Sharma-led Indian team had razed through their opponents at home and were the clear favourites to life the world title last but for Australia who won a record-extending sixth title.

Back then Mohammed Kaif had triggered a debate by claiming the Indian men’s team as the ‘best’ of the tournament and were better than Australia, ‘on paper and on field’.

Kaif has again shared his thoughts on social media platform ‘X’ following another Indian defeat in a world cup final.

Kaif, who was part of India’s 2003 World Cup squad that finished runners-up to Australia, feels that the result of the junior level cricket ‘don’t matter much’ and congratulated Saharan and co for their performances throughout the tournament that was held in South Africa.

“At u-19 level team results don’t matter much. Future stars learn lesson that help them in long journey.. Well played India,” he posted.

Kaif then added, “This time have to say Australia good on pitch, and on paper.”

Australia opted to bat first in the final. A half-century from Harjas Singh along with useful hands from skipper Hugh Weibgen (48), Oliver Peake (46) and opener Harry Dixon (42) helped them to 253/7 in 50 overs.

For India, Raj Limbani took 3/38 while Naman Tiwari chipped in with a couple of wickets.

In reply, India were never allowed to stitch a decent partnership with Australia continuing to chip away at the wickets. Opener Adarsh Sing top-scored with 47 while Murugan Abhishek contributed 42 from no. 8 as India were bowled out for 174 in 43.5 overs.