‘Knew it was a matter of one partnership’ - Skipper Uday Saharan on India's spectacular chase in U19 World Cup semi-final

India qualified for their fifth consecutive U19 World Cup final and their ninth overall after they defeated South Africa by two wickets in an enthralling semi-final in the 2024 World Cup. After South Africa posted 244, India found themseves in trouble as they were 8 for 2 at one stage and things went from bad to worse at 32 for 4. 

However, as the reslient Indian skipper Uday Saharan walked in to bat, he had only one thought in his mind, which was to bat until the end and secure a win for his side. The 171-run partnership between Saharan and Sachin Dhas helped India book their berth in the summit clash.

The skipper scored 81 off 124 deliveries, whereas Dhas added 96 off 95 deliveries as India pulled off a miraculous comeback, winning by two wickets and qualifying for yet another U19 World Cup final. Speaking of his performance, Saharan stated that he had the belief in him that he will secure the win for his side.

"There was nothing going on in my mind; I had the belief in myself. My only thought was that I would play till the end. I knew it was a matter of one partnership and the match would be ours. So I was just telling myself again and again that I had to take it deep,” Saharan was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

After his knock, Saharan was also asked about the restraint, scoring just six boundaries. The 19-year-old opined that he got it from his father and learned to take it deep from him. "He also used to play in the same manner, taking it deep, so I tried to do the same. I knew I could play the big shots at the end if required. I knew as long as I was at the crease, the game was ours,” Saharan said.