India earned a hard-fought win over the U19 World Cup 2024 hosts South Africa in the 1st semi-final in Benoni on February 6, 2024. With this win, India entered their 9th final of the tournament with a two-wicket win.
India captain Uday Saharan won the toss and chose to bowl first. Lhuan-dre Pretorius with 74 and Richard Seletswane with 64 shouldered the South African batting. Oliver Whitehead (22), Juan James (24), and Tristan Luus (23*) also contributed as the hosts posted 244/7 in 50 overs.
For India, Raj Limbani (3/60) and Musheer Khan (2/43) were the standout bowlers.
In response, Kwena Maphaka dismissed Adarsh Singh on the first ball of the Indian innings. Then Tristan Luss hurt India further with the wickets of Arshin Kulkarni (12), Musheer Khan (4), and Priyanshu Moliya (5).
At 32/4 and in huge trouble, captain Uday Saharan found an able partner in Sachin Dhas and together they added 171 runs. Dhas took the aggressive route, while Saharan played anchor. Dhas was in ominous form but fell four runs short of a deserving century.
He made 96 with 11 fours and 1 six. After his departure, Saharan took over and scored a brilliant 81 in 124 balls with 6 fours. Raj Limbani hit one four and one six as well in his 13* as India won a thrilling contest with 2 wickets in hand.
With this close win, India qualified for the final of the U19 World Cup 2024 and will face the winner of the second semi-final between Australia and Pakistan. This is the fifth consecutive time India has qualified for U19 World Cup final and ninth time overall.
The cricket fraternity was all praises on social media for the young Indian Colts for showing such character under pressure in a semi-final.
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