Australia emerged victorious in the Under-19 World Cup final against India. The Indian under-19 team had scored 253 runs for the loss of 7 wickets in their 50 overs, while Australia batted first. However, the Australian bowlers restricted India to 174 runs in 43 overs and 5 balls during their reply innings. As a result, Australia won the final by 79 runs and were crowned champions of the Under-19 World Cup this year.
Invincible India – 2023 World Cup Reminisce
The Indian and Australian cricket teams met in the final match. The Indian team had remained undefeated until then, but unfortunately was defeated by Australia in the finals. Interestingly, the Indian youth team had also performed exceptionally well in the under-19 World Cup, remaining undefeated throughout the tournament. However, it was a twist of fate that they too lost to Australia in the final match.
In the match, Harjas Singh played a crucial role in strengthening the Australian innings by scoring 55 runs, which included three sixes and three fours. Additionally, Harry Dixon, Hugh Weibgen, and Oliver Peake scored 42, 48, and 46 runs respectively, which helped raise the Australian score to 253.
On the other hand, Adarsh Singh scored 47 for the Indian under-19 team, while Murugan Abhishek managed to build a somewhat promising innings even as the middle-order batsmen collapsed. He scored 42 runs in 46 balls, which included a six and five fours.
South Africa inherited the misfortune
The Indian and Australian teams, who are the current under-19 world champions, made it to the finals. Many predicted that the Indian youth team would clinch the World Cup, as they had remained unbeaten. India is the only team to have reached the finals in all eight Under-19 World Cup tournaments.
In the first semi-final match, South Africa batted first and managed to score 247 runs for the loss of 7 wickets at the end of their 50 overs. The Indian innings was propelled by a fantastic partnership of 171 runs between Udai Sharan and Sachin Das for the 5th wicket. This partnership made its way into the record books as the best for the 5th wicket in an Under-19 World Cup tournament. Sachin Das, who was close to scoring a century, was dismissed for 96 runs, while Indian captain Uday Sharan was dismissed for 81 runs.
This match was considered by many as one of the most thrilling games of the tournament. Commentators noted that it was the most intense match of the U-19 World Cup. Eventually, India defeated the hosts South Africa and qualified for the finals for the 9th time in a row.
Pakistan appeared victorious and lost
During the second semi-final match, Australia achieved a thrilling one-wicket victory over Pakistan. Pakistan batted first and scored only 178 runs in 48 overs and 5 balls. The Pakistani bowlers posed a significant challenge to the Australian batters, who needed to chase a target of 179 runs. Despite this, the Australian team managed to secure a victory in the 49th over, thanks to a 17-run partnership for the 10th wicket between Raf McMillan and Callum Vidler. Sadly, this result meant that Pakistan’s under-19 team was eliminated from the World Cup tournament once again.
Australia lost to India twice
Although the Indian team qualified for the finals of the U-19 World Cup series held from 2016 to 2022, they were only able to win the title twice. India lost to West Indies in 2016 and Bangladesh in 2020. However, in 2022, the Indian team defeated the England team and became the under-19 world champions.
India and Australia have faced each other in the finals of the U-19 World Cup twice before, in 2012 and 2018. However, the Australian youth team was not able to win the World Cup on either occasion.
This year, the main topic of discussion is whether Australia will be able to win the trophy by defeating India in the final of the Under-19 World Cup ODI series. It is a unique event that India and Australia are facing each other again in the 2023 Cricket World Cup Final, as well as in the Under-19 World Cup Final. This match can also be considered as a solid example to illustrate the uncertainty and vitality of cricket.
