India Beat South Africa by 2 wickets in Under-19 World Cup 1st Semi Final | © X (Twitter)
In a roller-coaster semi-final clash at the Under-19 World Cup, India managed to clinch a heart-stopping victory against South Africa. Chasing a challenging target of 245, the young Indian side, led by captain Uday Saharan and the dynamic Sachin Dhas, displayed remarkable resilience.
South Africa’s Batting Effort
South Africa’s innings saw notable contributions from Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Steve Stolk, and Richard Seletswane, with Pretorius top-scoring with a well-crafted 76. The Indian bowlers, spearheaded by Raj Limbani and Musheer Khan, showcased disciplined performances, limiting South Africa to a competitive total of 244/7 in their 50 overs.
| South African Batsmen | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| L. Pretorius | 76 | 102 | 6 | 3 | 74.50 |
| R. Seletswane | 64 | 100 | 4 | 2 | 64.00 |
| J. James (c) | 24 | 19 | 1 | 1 | 126.31 |
India’s Bowling Display
India’s bowling attack, led by Raj Limbani’s crafty spell of 3 wickets and Musheer Khan’s impactful contribution with 2 wickets, successfully contained the South African batters. Despite some resistance, the disciplined effort restricted South Africa to a total that set the stage for a compelling chase.
| Indian Bowlers | Overs | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| R. Limbani | 9 | 60 | 3 | 6.66 |
| M. Khan | 10 | 43 | 2 | 4.30 |
| S. Pandey | 10 | 38 | 1 | 3.80 |
India’s Chase and Middle-Order Resilience
Facing a challenging target, India’s top order faced early setbacks. However, the middle order, led by captain Uday Saharan’s composed 81 and Sachin Dhas’s valiant 96, orchestrated a remarkable comeback. Their partnership, coupled with crucial contributions from Arshin Kulkarni and Saumy Pandey, propelled India to the brink of victory.
| Indian Batsmen | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U. Saharan | 81 | 124 | 6 | 0 | 65.32 |
| S. Dhas | 96 | 95 | 11 | 1 | 101.05 |
| R. Limbani | 13 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 325.00 |
Player of the Match – Uday Saharan
Uday Saharan’s stellar innings of 81 runs off 124 balls earned him the well-deserved Player of the Match award. His captaincy and batting prowess were instrumental in steering India through the challenging moments and guiding them to a thrilling victory.
India’s bowlers showcased their skills with Raj Limbani’s crucial wickets and Musheer Khan’s impactful spell. The combined effort of the bowling unit played a pivotal role in restricting South Africa and setting the stage for India’s successful run chase.
This nail-biting semi-final not only showcased the talent of the young cricketers but also highlighted the unpredictable nature of the game. As India secures their spot in the final for the fifth consecutive time, cricket enthusiasts around the world eagerly anticipate witnessing more thrilling performances in the Under-19 World Cup final. The journey continues, and the final promises to be another chapter in the enthralling narrative of youth cricket on the global stage.
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