Mohammad Kaif lauded India's U19 stars despite the team losing the final of the U19 World Cup 2024 to Australia in Benoni on February 11. Australia won their fourth U19 World Cup title in all, avenging their losses in 2012 and 2018 at the hands of the Indian team.
Opting to bat first, the Australians posted a challenging total of 253 for seven, forcing India to chase a steep target. Despite India's efforts, they stumbled in their pursuit and were bowled out for 174, with Mahli Beardman and Raf MacMillan leading the Australian bowling attack with figures of 3/15 and 3/43, respectively.
Many would view this result as a continuation of Australia's win over India in the senior World Cup last year at Ahmedabad. Rohit Sharma's India had been in sublime form throughout the World Cup, having registered ten successive wins before the loss in the final.
Former India batter Mohammad Kaif, a U19 World Cup-winning captain himself, stated that Australia was the better team on the field and paper. This was a signal towards his comment when he had said Indian team was better on paper despite losing to Australia in the 2023 World Cup final.
“At u-19 level team results don't matter much. Future stars learn lesson that help them in long journey.. Well played India. This time have to say Australia good on pitch, and on paper,” Kaif wrote on his official X profile.
