Image Credit- ICC
In the opening semi-final of the 2024 Under-19 World
Cup, India captain Uday Saharan had only one idea in mind when he saw his team
8 for 2 in a chase of 245 against South Africa. He had to stay to the very
finish.
Soon after, the score was 32 for 4, at which point
Saharan and Sachin Dhas brought India closer with a fifth-wicket stand of 171.
Saharan was the sponge at the other end of the chase, while Dhas made sure the
asking rate was kept under control for the most part.
India needed 42 from 47 balls when Dhas fell for 96
off 95 balls. Saharan played nearly the entire time; he was run out trying to
reach the winning single but managed to score 81 off 124 balls to take India,
the defending champions, to their fifth successive final.
“There was nothing going on in my mind,”
Saharan, who was named the Player of the Match, said. “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.”
When asked about the restraint, he said he got it from
his father, who also wanted to become a cricketer but could not.
“He also used to play in the same manner, taking
it deep,” Saharan said. “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.
Overall, this is the ninth time India have made it to
the final of an Under-19 World Cup.
“It’s a great feeling winning the
semi-final,” Saharan said. “Finally, there was a close game. In a
way, it was good practice for us. I am happy that we have reached the final
under my captaincy as well (laughs).”