Skipper Uday Saharan and star batter Musheer Khan were among the four Indian players, who made it to the 2024 U-19 World Cup's Team of the Tournament.
Batter Sachin Dhas and left-arm spinner Saumy Pandey are the other Indian players in the team, announced by the ICC on Monday (February 12).
The Indian U-19 team suffered a comprehensive 79-run defeat at the hands of Australia in the Youth World Cup final in Benoni on Sunday (February 11).
The Boys in Blue were dominant throughout the tournament, winning all six matches before the final. However, Australia outplayed them in the summit clash to clinch their fourth U-19 World Cup title.
Australia skipper Hugh Weibgen has been given the honour of leading the team, chosen by a panel of media, broadcast and ICC representatives.
The team featured three Australian players, two South African players and one cricketer each from the West Indies and Pakistan.
India's Musheer takes the number three spot. He was only batter to hit two centuries during the competition. Despite a disappointing end to the tournament, Musheer displayed plenty of early promise, showcasing his wide array of shots, as well as an ability to take wickets with his probing left-arm spin.
Leading run-scorer of the tournament, Saharan played a key role in India's dominance through to the final. Scoring consistently throughout the event and registering a century against Nepal, Saharan saved his best performance for the thrilling semi-final against South Africa, dragging India back from the brink of elimination with vital 81 runs to seal their spot in the final.
Dhas also played a significant role in India’s semi-final win over South Africa as he top-scored with a 96. The right-hander earned a place in the Team of the Tournament for his ability to relieve pressure situations, and the innovative and aggressive strokeplay. He played a brilliant knock of 116 against Nepal as well.
Completing the lineup is Pandey, whose left-arm spin yielded 18 wickets - the most by any spinner in the tournament. Pandey was inspirational in the early stages in Bloemfontein, highlighted by his performances in wins over Bangladesh (four for 24) and New Zealand (four for 19).
South Africa's Lhuan-dre Pretorius takes the gloves and also heads up the batting order, after a series of impressive and explosive displays in the Proteas' surge to the semi-final.
Australia's Harry Dixon partners Pretorius atop the order after a superb tournament and some invaluable contributions in the knockout stages.
At number four is Weibgen, who was instrumental to Australia's fourth U19 Men's World Cup title, providing valuable runs and making intelligent on-field decisions that sparked another successful campaign.
West Indies all-rounder Nathan Edward was a standout performer for the side, in particular during their win against England in Potchefstroom, taking three wickets and hitting 49 in a high-pressure chase.
Australia's Callum Vidler enjoyed plenty of pace and bounce on the South African surfaces, and posed a constant threat to batters throughout the competition.
Ubaid Shah was in scintillating form for Pakistan, spearheading their bowling attack and demonstrating lethal amounts of pace that produced vital wicket taking spells in his side's wins over New Zealand (three for 30) and Bangladesh (five for 44).
Maphaka set the World Cup alight from day one. Searing pace and swing handed him his first of three five-wicket hauls in the dramatic win over West Indies on opening day, and the pacer never looked back, with stellar performances in wins over Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka.
ICC U-19 World Cup's Team of the Tournament: Lhuan-dre Pretorius (SA) (wk), Harry Dixon (AUS), Musheer Khan, Hugh Weibgen (AUS) (captain), Uday Saharan, Sachin Dhas, Nathan Edward (WI), Callum Vidler (AUS), Ubaid Shah (PAK), Kwena Maphaka (SA), Saumy Pandey and Jamie Dunk (SCO). (Indians unless specified).
(With PTI Inputs)
