Aussies break Indian hearts again

Australia broke Indian hearts once again by winning one-sided U19 World Cup 2024 final, played today in Benoni. 

The Uday Saharan-led side lost the summit clash by 79 runs. Opener Adarsh Singh and Murugan Abhishek contributed with knocks of 47 and 42 respectively, but other Indian batters failed to replicate them in the chase of 254. Indian side was bowled out for 174 in 43.5 overs. Earlier, fast bowler Raj Limbani returned figures of 3 for 38 in his 10 overs but Australia still posted 253 for 7, the highest total in the history of the tournament's final. Harjas Singh was the top-scorer for Australia with a 55-run knock.

Australia, who made the gutsy call of winning the toss and batting first in overcast conditions, posted 253, the highest total in the final of a U19 Men's World Cup tournament. Fast bowler Mahli Beardman and spinner Raf MacMillan picked up 3 wickets each as India were bundled out for 174 in 43.5 overs, falling well short of what could have been a record run chase. 

Kangaroos seem to have the mental edge over India in men's ICC tournaments in the recent past. Only 2 months back, a Pat Cummins-led side stunned India in the final of the ICC Men's World Cup in Ahmedabad. Before the World Cup, India lost the ICC World Test Championship final to Australia in June at the Oval in London.

Australia are now the champions of senior men's 50-over World Cup, the World Test Championship, the women's T20 World Cup and the senior women's 50-over World Cup to go with the U19 men's World Cup.

The story was similar in the U19 World Cup as India, led by Uday Saharan, reached the final unbeaten, having dominated the opposition teams en route. However, young men succumbed to nerves and some superior all-round effort from Australia.

It was the fourth U19 Men's World Cup crown for Australia and their first since 2010. It was a well-deserved title triumph for captain Hugh Weibgen as he hit a crucial 48 with the bat and marshalled the troops wonderfully well while defending 253.