India U19 Team has qualified for their fifth consecutive U19 World Cup final and their ninth overall after they beat South Africa by two wickets in a thrilling semi-final in the 2024 World Cup. After South Africa posted 244, India reduced to 8 for 2 at one stage and things went from bad to worse at 32 for 4 as well. However, Indian skipper Uday Saharan walked into bat, and he had only one thought in his mind, which was to bat till the end and register a win for his side as well. The 171-run partnership between Saharan and Sachin Dhas helped India seal the deal in the summit clash.
The skipper scored 81 off 124 deliveries, whereas Dhas hit 96 off 95 balls as India bounced back, winning by two wickets and qualifying for yet another U19 World Cup final as well. Speaking of his performance, Saharan added that he had the belief in him that he would secure the win for his side.
“There was nothing going on in my mind; I had the belief in myself. My only thought was that I would play till the end. I knew it was a matter of one partnership and the match would be ours. So I was just telling myself again and again that I had to take it deep,” Uday Saharan was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.
The #BoysInBlue are into the FINAL of the #U19WorldCup! 🥳
A thrilling 2⃣-wicket win over South Africa U-19 👏👏
Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/Ay8YmV8QDg#TeamIndia | #INDvSA pic.twitter.com/wMxe7gVAiL
— BCCI (@BCCI) February 6, 2024
“He also used to play in the same manner, taking it deep, so I tried to do the same. I knew I could play the big shots at the end if required. I knew as long as I was at the crease, the game was ours,” Uday Saharan concluded.
