Defending champions India on Saturday lost the Under-19 World Cup 2024 final to Australia by 79 runs in Benoni. The Uday Saharan-led team was folded to 174 in 43.5 after the Aussies registered the highest total ever in an Under-19 World Cup final. The victory let Australia lay their hands on the coveted silverware for the fourth time, ending the 10-year-long wait.
On the other hand, this was India’s first and only defeat in the 2024 edition. After winning 6 matches on the trot, the boys faltered in the game where it mattered the most. They failed to soak pressure, cutting a sorry figure with the bat. Opener Adarsh Singh (47) and number 8 batter, Murugan Abhishek (42) were the only two who showed the stomach to fight as the title slipped out of their hands.
Speaking at the post-match presentation, skipper Saharan admitted that the batters paid the price for playing rash shots in a heartbreaking 79-run loss to Australia.
“I’m proud of the boys, they played really well. Showed good fighting spirit throughout the tournament. We played a few rash shots today and 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,” he said.
Australian bowlers on the money
The likes of Callum Vidler (2/35), Charlie Anderson (1/42), Mahli Beardman (3/15) and Tom Straker (1/32) shared seven wickets among each other. Beardman, who was adjudged the player of the match, described it as a ‘surreal’ feeling.
“It’s pretty surreal, hasn’t fully set in yet. But it’s something we’ve been working towards for a long, long time so the hard work has paid off,” he said.
“They’ve been incredible and we knew it was going to be a good battle. For me, I just wanted to use my short balls and hit the top of off. “I’ve been thinking about my bowling, my field settings. Just trying to work on the mental side of the ball,” he said.
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