Image Credit- ICC
India’s Under-19 World Cup title defence faced its
toughest test in a thrilling quarterfinal match in Benoni against hosts South
Africa. Subsequently, captain Uday Saharan and Sachin Dhas produced a pivotal
171-run partnership that established the framework for an unlikely triumph.
India is currently in their sixth consecutive final, where they will be facing
the victor of Pakistan against Australia on Thursday.
India made the decision to chase for the first time in
the tournament. And they were on the rack with a chase of 245 at 32 for 4. In
an exciting opening burst where every ball was an event of its own, South
Africa’s pace attack provided fire, antagonism, and lots of thrills. Saharan’s
steel and Dhas’s cool demeanour were essential in helping India pull up a
record fifth-wicket stand at the men’s Under-19 World Cup.
With three wickets remaining, India needed to score 18
off 16. The swing spinner Raj Limbani, who had earlier struck three huge blows,
then flipped his first ball for six over deep midwicket to bring India within
striking distance.
Saharan came dangerously close to taking India home,
but India only needed one run. Distraught at not being able to complete the
task, it took him a lifetime to go, but he was not going to be stopped when
Limbani belted a boundary off Nquobani Mokoena, setting off happy scenes in the
Indian camp. South Africa were devastated, wondering how they had allowed India
to get away after their top order was virtually unplayable in the opening
innings thanks to Kwena Maphaka and Tristan Luus.
Adarsh Singh was dismissed by Maphaka with a lifter
that he gloved to the wicketkeeper off the opening ball of India’s chase. Luus,
on the other end, forced Musheer Khan to fend off a short ball that went into
the slips after peppering him with many inswingers. Considering that Musheer
had been the cornerstone of India’s batting unit throughout the competition,
his wicket was significant.
Dhas and Saharan first avoided the short balls by
dodging and weaving, as if they weren’t bothered by South Africa’s quick strike
effort making them appear unattractive.
Dhas and Saharan had bailed India out of a
similar position after they’d lost three early wickets. Here the stakes were
higher, and the quality of bowling several notches higher, perhaps even the
tournament’s best, which is why their fightback was all the more commendable.