In the thrilling semi-final clash on Tuesday, India’s U19 World Cup cricket team secured a place in the final of the Youth World Cup 2024 by defeating South Africa. Led by Uday Saharan, the Indian squad showcased exceptional performance, chasing down South Africa’s total of 244 runs with precision.
India’s Journey to the Final of U19 World Cup
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India’s U19 cricket team has showcased remarkable consistency, reaching the Youth World Cup final an impressive nine times. This includes a staggering five consecutive appearances in the title fight, a testament to the team’s prowess on the global stage.
Historic Final Appearances
India’s journey to the U19 World Cup final spans multiple years, with notable appearances in 2000, 2006, 2008, 2012, 2016, 2018, 2020, and 2022. Notably, India has reached the U19 World Cup finals more times than any other team. The nation holds the record for the most championships, having clinched the title on five occasions.
India’s Championship Record
India won the U19 World Cup trophy for the first time in 2000 under the leadership of Mohammad Kaif. India beat Sri Lanka by 6 wickets in the service final. Batting first, Sri Lanka scored 178 runs. India won the match by scoring 180 runs for 4 wickets. Along with tight bowling (26 runs in 10 overs) Ritendra Singh Sodhi was the man of the match. He also scored an unbeaten 39 runs in the final. Yuvraj Singh won the best cricketer award of the tournament by collecting 203 runs and 12 wickets.
India won the Youth World Cup title for the second time in 2008. Virat Kohli was India’s captain of the service. In the final, India beat Wayne Parnell’s South Africa by 12 runs under the Duckworth-Lewis rule. Batting first, India were all out for 159 runs. South Africa’s win target stands at 116 in 25 overs due to rain. They were stuck at 103 for 8. Ajitesh Argal took 2 wickets for a total of 7 runs in 5 overs and was Man of the Match. Tim Southee was Man of the Tournament.
In 2012, Unmukt Chand led India to win the U19 World Cup trophy. It was the third title for the Indian youth team. India defeated Australia by 6 wickets in the final. Batting first, Australia made 225 runs for 8 wickets. India went to bat and won the match by scoring 227 runs for 4 wickets. Man of the Match of the final Unmukt Chand scored an unbeaten 111 runs.
In 2018, under the leadership of Prithvi Shaw, India won the U19 World Cup. It was India’s fourth title. India defeated Australia by 8 wickets in the final. Batting first, Australia were all out for 216 runs. In reply, India went into bat and won the match by scoring 220 runs for 2 wickets. Manjyot Kalra was the man of the match with an unbeaten 101 runs. Shubman Gill was the best of the tournament scoring 372 runs.
In 2022, India won the U19 World Cup trophy under the leadership of Yash Dhul. It was India’s fifth title. India defeated England by 4 wickets in the final. England were all out for 189 runs. India won the match by scoring 195 runs for 6 wickets. Raj Bawa was the man of the match by collecting 5 wickets and 35 runs. Dewald Brewis was the best of the tournament by collecting 506 runs and 7 wickets.
FAQ: U19 World Cup 2024
Q1: How many times has India reached the U19 World Cup final?
India has reached the U19 World Cup final a total of nine times, showcasing their consistent performance on the global stage.
Q2: How many times has India won the U19 World Cup title?
India has secured the U19 World Cup title on five occasions, making them the most successful team in the history of the tournament.
Q3: Who was the captain when India won their first U19 World Cup in 2000?
Mohammad Kaif captained the Indian U19 cricket team when they won their first U19 World Cup title in 2000.
Q4: Who won the best cricketer award in the 2000 U19 World Cup?
Yuvraj Singh won the best cricketer award in the 2000 U19 World Cup for his outstanding performance with both bat and ball.
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In conclusion, India’s U19 cricket team has once again displayed their dominance in the U19 World Cup, reaching the final for the ninth time. As the defending champions, the team aims to secure their sixth title, adding another chapter to their storied history in youth cricket.