Australia clinched the ICC Under-19 World Cup title by defeating India by 79 runs in the final match. Despite an unbeaten run throughout the tournament, India faltered in chasing the target of 254 runs, losing wickets at regular intervals. The Indian bowlers put up a strong performance, restricting Australia’s batsmen from posting a massive score. However, Australia managed to set a competitive total of 253 runs in the allotted 50 overs.
India faced an early setback as Arshin Kulkarni got out for three runs in the third over. Subsequently, wickets fell at intervals, and no batsman could reach a half-century. Captain Uday Saharan, Mushir Khan, and Sachin Dhas, who had scored centuries in previous matches, failed to make a significant impact. Adarsh Singh, with a resilient 47-run innings, tried to hold the innings together, but India eventually collapsed to 174 runs in 45.5 overs.
Prior to India’s innings, Raj Limbani and Naman Tiwari delivered a lethal bowling performance, taking five wickets collectively. Despite their efforts, Australia managed to post a challenging score of 253 runs, with only Harjas Singh scoring a half-century. Limbani took three wickets, including the crucial dismissal of opener Sam Constas, putting India on the back foot from the start.
In response, India’s top-order struggled against the Australian bowlers, with Harry Dixon and captain Huw Vebergen sharing a 78-run partnership for the second wicket. However, the introduction of Uday Saharan into the bowling attack turned the game in India’s favor, as he dismissed both Dixon and Vebergen in successive overs. Naman Tiwari also contributed with impressive bowling, claiming two wickets.
Despite Harjas Singh’s half-century for Australia, Raj Limbani’s three-wicket haul and Naman Tiwari’s crucial breakthroughs kept India in the contest. However, the team failed to build partnerships and succumbed to the pressure, ultimately falling short of the target.
