India win the U19 World Cup for the fifth time in a row, and Sourav Ganguly and Gautam Gambhir are thrilled with their youthful squad

India staged a coup to get to the U19 World Cup final for the fifth consecutive year. India defeated the hosts, South Africa, by a margin of two wickets in a thrilling match. The youthful squad was praised by the Indian cricket community, which included legendary players like Gautam Gambhir and Sourav Ganguly, for their outstanding performance in a major competition.

Uday Saharan, captain of the India U19 team, won the toss and chose to pursue for the first time in the competition. Additionally, it was the first time the squad would ultimately concede a score of 200 or more at the U19 World Cup in 2024.

The two most impressive bowlers for India were Raj Lambani (3/60) and Musheer Khan (2/43), as South Africa amassed a goal of 245 runs. India’s choice to pursue in a knockout match first backfired when opener Adarsh Singh was removed by South Africa’s left-arm bowler Kwena Maphaka with an unplayable delivery on the very first ball.

SA VS. IND: MATCH REPORT

The next to go were opener Arshin Kulkarni and the very effective Musheer Khan. India was in danger of missing out on a World Cup final place after falling to 32/4. But Saharan and Sachin Dhas, who put up a 171-run partnership to help India overcome a poor start, had other ideas. Dhas went for the gold, hitting 11 fours and 1 six on his way to a 95-ball 96. Saharan kept the scoreboard running while being composed and collected. An onslaught of extras aided India’s case as well. After Dhas was dismissed, India lost Abhishek Murugan to a run-out, making the thrilling finale for the reigning champions rather uncertain.

With an 81-run knock, the captain, leading his side from the front, made sure they would stick around until the very finish. Saharan lost out on scoring the winning runs when the scores were tied at 244 because he gave up his wicket to make a hasty single. As the game came down to the wire, India pulled off a very suspenseful victory. The team’s stunning comeback was characterized by their tenacity and resolve in making it to the ninth final.

Gambhir was ecstatic by the way the squad performed.

Ganguly praised both the South African and Indian teams for their outstanding performances.

Jay Shah, the secretary of the BCCI, was pleased with the young guns’ performance.

In the final, which is scheduled for February 11, India will play Australia or Pakistan.