Australia emerged victorious over India in the U-19 World Cup final, securing their fourth title

In the final of the ICC Under-19 World Cup held at Benoni in South Africa on Sunday, the Indian U19 cricket team suffered a defeat by 79 runs against Australia. This loss echoed the disappointment of the ICC Senior World Cup last year, where India, the strong favorites, were also defeated by Australia at home.

Opting to bat first after winning the toss, Australia set a target of 254 runs for India, propelled by a half-century from Harjas Singh (55 runs), his first of the tournament. Batsmen such as captain Hugh Weibgen (48), Oliver Peake (46), and Harry Dixon (42) contributed to Australia’s highest total in an U-19 World Cup final.

India, aiming for a record sixth U-19 title and defending champions, entered the final undefeated in the tournament after defeating Bangladesh, Ireland, USA, New Zealand, Nepal, and hosts South Africa in a tense semi-final.

With this victory, Australia claimed their fourth U19 World Cup title. Indian pacer Raj Limbani was the most effective bowler in the final, taking three wickets for 38 runs in his ten overs, while Naman Tiwary claimed two wickets.

During India’s batting innings, they faced early setbacks with opener Arshin Kulkarni dismissed for just three runs, and at one point, they were 91 for 6. Only opener Adarsh Singh (47 off 77 balls), Musheer Khan (22), Murugan Abhishek (42), and Naman Tiwari managed to reach double figures. The partnership between Murugan and Tiwari, which added 46 runs, was India’s largest of the day.

Uday Saharan, the tournament’s leading run-scorer with 389 runs prior to the final, was dismissed for eight runs.