U-19 World Cup 2024: Uday Saharan- Sachin Dhas take India to fifth consecutive final beating SA by two wickets

India stormed their way into the final of the ICC U19 World Cup 2024 as they beat South Africa by two wickets in Semi-Final 1 on Tuesday, February 06 at Willowmoore Park, Benoni. After being put in to bat first, South Africa posted a good score of 244/7 in their allotted 50 overs with Lhuan-dre Pretorius top-scoring with 76 off 102. In reply, India chased down the target in 48.5 overs as Uday Saharan (81 off 124) and Sachin Dhas (96 off 95) starred with the bat.

India's chase didn’t get off to a great start as they lost their opener Adarsh Singh on the first ball of the innings with Kwena Maphaka accounting for him. The matters got worse for India as Tristan Luus (3/37) ran through their top order dismissing in-form Musheer Khan (4 off 12), Arshin Kulkarni (12 off 30) and Priyanshu Moliya (5 off 10).

India were left reeling at 32/4 as Sachin Dhas joined captain Uday Saharan at the crease. The duo got involved in a massive stand of 171 off 187 balls bringing India just 42 runs away from a win. However, Maphaka (3/32) brought his team back into the game dismissing the well-set Dhas (96 off 95) and Aravelly Avanish (10 off 18).

Matters got tense with Murugan Abhishek (0 off 1) getting run out leaving India on 227/6 requiring another18 to win off 16 balls. However, Saharan (81 off 124) and Raj Limbani (13* off 4) held their nerve and got their team over the line with seven balls to spare.

Earlier in the day, South Africa lost their opener Steve Stolk (14 off 17) early in the innings with just 23 runs on the board falling prey to seamer Raj Limbani (3/60) who also dismissed David Teeger (0 off 2). The hosts were 46/2 after 8.1 overs when Richard Seletswane joined Lhuan-dre Pretorius at the crease and the duo got involved in a 72-run stand off 133 balls.

Raj Limbani and Musheer Khan were among the wickets for India

The stand was broken by Musheer Khan (2/43) who got rid of Pretorius for 76 (102). Following his dismissal, Oliver Whitehead (22 off 34) walked to the crease and got involved in another crucial stand of 45 (58) with Seletswane (64 off 100) to take South Africa to 163/4.

However, India made a comeback by dismissing Whitehead and Dewan Marais (3 off 7) leaving South Africa on 174/5 after 42.2 overs. Cameos from captain Juan James (24 off 19) and Tristan Luus (23 off 12) took South Africa to 244/7 in their 50 overs.

Meanwhile, X was abuzz with reactions after India reached their fifth consecutive and ninth overall final in the U-19 World Cup. Here are some of the posts: