India and South Africa often meet on the cricketing field with thrilling encounters that keep fans on the edge of their seats, such as this first semi-final clash at ICC Under-19 World Cup 2024.
Skipper Uday Saharan led India with an assured and composed innings, hitting an 81 off 124 balls accompanied by Sachin Dhas‘ 96 score in the South Africa National Under-19 Cricket Team vs India National Under-19 Cricket Team match scorecard.
Scorecard
South Africa and India national under-19 cricket teams faced off in an engaging match, filled with dramatic performances and strategic gameplay. Both sides did their job, yet Indian bowlers were able to effectively manage scoring rates by regularly taking wickets at key moments – the top order excelled while middle order struggled a little, which ultimately resulted in a close game – however India won by virtue of their disciplined bowling strategy.
India were able to overcome some jittery moments to defeat South Africa National Under-19 Cricket Team and advance to their fifth final of the Under 19 World Cup. Uday Saharan and Sachin Dhas forged an incredible 171-run partnership during India’s chase – this mark represented one of the highest fifth-wicket stands ever seen at an Under 19 World Cup tournament.
Indian team’s batting lineup is one of the strongest in competition. Boasting both power-hitters and technique-minded players, their batsmen can score runs efficiently while their bowling lineup boasts several promising young pacers who help defend against opponents quickly.
South Africa started slowly at the Under 19 World Cup. They beat Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka before progressing to the Super Six stage; however, losses to Australia and Bangladesh resulted in them replacing David Teeger as captain with Juan James.
Kwena Maphaka and Tristan Luus led South Africa Under-19 cricket team’s wicket-taking in this tournament with outstanding bowling performances – but ultimately India came away victorious from winning their match.
Riley Norton starts the next over and delivers a short ball which Aravelly Avanish hits for one, although there was strong appeal against LBW but was ultimately not out. Soon after slamming Norton for another boundary. But Maphaka wasn’t done and brought another short delivery which Avanish hit for four.
Performances
India emerged victorious against South Africa to qualify for the fifth final of the ICC Under-19 World Cup at Willowmoore Park in Benoni. Uday Saharan scored an assured 81 as Sachin Dhas and Uday Saharan combined in a 171-run partnership that enabled India’s boys in blue to recover from 32/4 when their chase for 245 proved daunting.
Raj Limbani and Musheer Khan each took one wicket as Proteas struggled with their bat. Juan James and Tristan Luus made cameo appearances to keep South African side within reach, ultimately finishing on 244 for 8.
Indian bowlers excelled, restricting South Africa to just 200 in 50 overs with Musheer Khan picking up three wickets, Raj Limbani taking two, and Naman Tiwari one. However, Lhuan-dre Pretorious and Richard Seletswane put together an effective partnership which helped the Proteas claw their way back.
India were hoping to book their place in the final, but were under immense pressure by Protea bowler Tim Southee’s impressive bowling attack. The boys in blue have made history, becoming the first non-Test playing side to win five ICC Under-19 World Cup championships and will look to create more milestones at May’s fifth final. Proteas fans will no doubt be dismayed by this result, yet South African cricket remains in safe hands with players such as these. The Proteas must improve to compete against the best sides in the world and are excited about hosting next year’s competition, when their semi-final against Bangladesh and Sri Lanka will take place at the same venue on Wednesday. The winner of this match will face Pakistan in the final. Both teams stand a great chance of taking home victory and will do all they can to avoid defeat in what promises to be an exciting spectacle of cricket for anyone attending. We can guarantee it!
Conclusions
South Africa will no doubt be devastated at their semi-final defeat, yet can take great pride in reaching the final of a World Cup tournament for the first time ever in their history. Their young side displayed outstanding cricket all through this tournament and showed great promise for its future development within South Africa.
The Proteas encountered their only setback during this tournament when they lost against England in Group Stage, but have since rebounded with two dominating victories against New Zealand and Nepal during Super Six play – impressive bowling line-up!
India showed incredible resilience and overcame some tense moments to edge South Africa by two wickets and advance to the fifth final of the Under-19 World Cup at Willowmoore Park, Benoni on Tuesday. Skipper Uday Saharan and Sachin Dhas managed a 171-run partnership that salvaged India when their chase of 245 looked daunting at 32/4.
Dhas was just short of his second century at this tournament before being dismissed for 96, yet was well supported by Saharan’s composed and relaxed innings of 81 off 124 balls – the highest fifth-wicket partnership in U-19 cricket! Their efforts kept India at the top of the game.
India’s bowlers kept up with South Africa’s run rate and quickly dispatched of them, advancing into the final. Raj Limbani and Musheer Khan shared wickets as the Proteas struggled to form solid partnerships within their innings.
India’s batsmen soon settled into their chase, moving into the final stages of their innings with ease. Soon thereafter, Lhuan-dre Pretorious was caught at fine leg by Juan James off Musheer Khan before another catch was taken at fine leg off Mohammad Tahir as Kwena Maphaka and Tristan Luus applied pressure against their hosts. Soon thereafter Priyanshi Moliya also got out for ten.
Final Words
India and South Africa met in an incredible encounter for the 2024 Under-19 World Cup semifinal, where India pulled off an unexpected two-wicket win to advance to Sunday’s final at Willowmoore Park in Benoni and face either Pakistan or Australia in their clash. Uday Saharan led India’s charge, scoring an unbeaten 81 off 124 balls to guarantee them their spot in the final; Sachin Dhas remained unbeaten on 96 and were well supported by Uday Saharan.
Grant Morgan of South Africa expressed disappointment over their team’s loss, noting: “It is disappointing we couldn’t do better, as some really good play wasn’t finished off successfully. “
India captain Uday Saharan scored an 81-ball century to lead his side to an exciting win over South Africa at the Under-19 World Cup 2024 semi-final stage. While South Africa had more opportunities, run-out by Mokoena deprived them of what may have been their only chance at victory.
At the Ground it was an extremely charged environment and players had to be escorted by police back to their dressing rooms after the match had concluded. South Africa coach Grant Morgan voiced his dissatisfaction at umpiring standards: “Today the standard has been extremely poor – and that just doesn’t go with cricket!”
CSA reports they have been informed to expect protests related to Gaza conflict at tournament venues. This follows on from David Teeger’s decision last year to honour Israeli soldiers with a Jewish Rising Star award ceremony and be subjected to allegations; although David was eventually cleared from these claims and will remain Under-19 captain.
South African team remains optimistic despite controversy encircling their captain, with Ottneil Baartman and Anrich Nortje both performing admirably so far in limited-overs matches and showing they can remain calm under pressure. But for their chance at reaching the final they will need their best performances to equal those from India.
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