Published: Feb 11, 2024, 11:42 AM (IST)
Edited: Feb 11, 2024, 11:42 AM (IST)
U19 WC 2024: Ravichandran Ashwin, an Indian spin veteran, praised compatriot and U19 skipper Uday Saharan for staying cool throughout the ICC U19 World Cup, which begins on Sunday with a championship match against Australia. India will face Australia in the U19 World Cup final in Benoni. This is India’s sixth consecutive U19 World Cup final appearance, and the third versus Australia. Australia has never defeated India in the U19 World Cup final. If India defeats Australia, they would win the championship for the sixth time, while Australia will win it for the fourth time.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin stated that many people have already dubbed Uday the ‘Find of the Tournament’. However, the spin veteran believes that his confidence is more noteworthy, comparing it to emerging Indian star Rinku Singh, who is performing well as a finisher for the senior squad.
“This World Cup, many people are already dubbing him the discovery of the tournament; he is the first skipper to be the team’s best run scorer. It’s not about the runs; it’s Uday Saharan’s match-winning ability that impresses me, as is the calmness with which he plays,” remarked Ashwin.
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“Something like Rinku Singh, as I mentioned lately. It cannot be purchased with money. Uday Saharan has that nurtured in him. He has a quiet confidence. “He has a calm, composed, and confident personality,” Ashwin said.
Uday is the leading run scorer in the U19 World Cup, with 389 runs in six matches at an average of 64.83, including a century and three fifties. His highest score is 100.
Saharan’s reputation has increased throughout the tournament, with his match-winning 81 in the semi-final against South Africa playing a key part in his team’s progression to the final. With the side struggling at 32/4, his double-century partnership with Sachin Dhas helped India reach the 245-run mark.
Saharan also hit a century in India’s Super Sixes match against Nepal, and he has been able to adjust his style of play to the various scenarios he has faced during the tournament.
The final match between India and Australia will start at 1:30 PM IST.
Harry Dixon, Sam Konstas, Hugh Weibgen (captain), Harjas Singh, Ryan Hicks (wk), Oliver Peake, Tom Campbell, Raf MacMillan, Tom Straker, Mahli Beardman, Callum Vidler, Lachlan Aitken, Charlie Anderson, Harkirat Bajwa, Corey Wasley, Aidan O’Connor
India U19 Squad: Adarsh Singh, Arshin Kulkarni, Musheer Khan, Uday Saharan (C), Priyanshu Moliya, Sachin Dhas, Aravelly Avanish (Wk), Murugan Abhishek, Raj Limbani, Naman Tiwari, Saumy Pandey, Aaradhya Shukla, Ansh Gosai, Dhanush Gowda, Rudra Patel, Prem Devkar, Mohamed Amaan, Innesh Mahajan
