Australia defeated India by 79 runs in the U-19 World Cup 2024 final in Benoni, South Africa on Sunday.
Australia won the toss and decided to bat first in the Under-19 Cricket World Cup final played in Benoni, South Africa on Sunday. Batting first, Australia scored 253 runs after losing 7 wickets in the allotted 50 overs.
This is the third time that Australia has defeated India in an ICC final. The men’s team won the World Test Championship final at The Oval, London in June 2023 by 209 runs.
Meanwhile, Pat Cummins’ side stunned them by six wickets at home in the ODI World Cup final on 19 November 2023.
U-19 World Cup 2024
Australia dominated all three areas of the field against their counterparts.
Hugh Webgen made the right call and elected to bat first in Benoni. Australia reached 253/7 by the end of the first innings, the highest-ever total in a U-19 World Cup final. Harjas Singh led the scoring with 55, while Webgun, Harry Dixon, and Ole Peck contributed 40s. Rajlambani shone for India with figures of 3/38.
India’s chase got off to a chaotic start as they lost four wickets in the opening 20 overs. Among those dismissed were Mushir Khan, Uday Saharan, and Sachin Das, who was the top three-run scorer in the tournament. Australia continued to push forward, claiming four more wickets between 21-32 overs.
Despite Abhishek Murugan’s late addition, Australia’s win became a mere formality, and they secured the game in the 44th over.
India suffered an early blow in their chase when Arshin Kulkarni bowled one behind the wicket. Adarsh Singh and Mushir Khan then proceeded cautiously. Only two fours came in the first powerplay.
The mentor started playing more adventurous strokes after the first 10 overs. However, he fell victim to Mahali Beardman for 22 runs.
Beardman picked up another important wicket by dismissing India captain Uday Saharan for 8 runs. India’s chances were further dimmed when Sachin Dhas (8) edged a ball from Raf McMillan behind the stumps.
Priyanshu Mulia and Araveli Onish were soon dismissed without adding much to the total. When Adarsh Singh, who fought back with 47, was dismissed by Beardman, the writing was on the wall for India. Abhishek Murugan scored a brilliant 42, but it was too late for him.
Harry Dixon was off to a combative start with 15 off Naman Tiwari’s first over. However, Rajlambani got a shock and fell to partner Sam Konstas in the third over. India turned to spin soon and managed to stem the scoring rate in the first powerplay.
Dixon and Webgen were alert against the spinners at the start of the middle overs, while calmly scoring runs to keep the scoreboard ticking.
42 runs came from overs 11-20, with boundaries easing towards the end of the period. A return to momentum yielded immediate results in the 21st over, as Tiwary dispatched Webgun for 48 runs.
The left-hander struck again in his next over, this time getting the better of Dixon. The slower ball took the southpaw out, and he bowled it to Abhishek Murugan.
Harjas Singh and Ryan Hicks then patiently rebuilt for Australia. Harjas, who had scored just 49 runs in the tournament so far, opened his arms against Priyanshu Mulia’s spin, hitting a six and a four in the 28th over. He then hit a glimmer of boundaries.
Hooks was eventually caught leg-by-leg by Lambani on 20, but Australia were progressing at a healthy run-rate. Harjas punched Tiwary to a full-toss ground in the 37th over to bring up his maiden fifty in the U-19 World Cup.
Somi Pandey made a comeback for India by getting Harjas soon after. The batsman tried to sweep Pandey towards the onside but failed and caught Sahol’s leg first.
Ole Peck’s positive intent helped Australia build towards their total of 200 even as India’s bowlers settled down. Australia eventually added 66 runs in the last 10 overs.
