Aoba Tanaka 
In a thrilling U19 World Cup final in Benoni, Australia secured their fourth title by defeating defending champions India with a commanding 79-run win. This triumph marked Australia’s first-ever victory over India in an U19 World Cup final, adding another chapter to their cricketing rivalry.
Opting to bat first, Australia set the tone by posting a challenging total of 253/7, the highest ever in an U19 World Cup final. The momentum continued as Callum Vidler delivered a maiden over at the start of India’s innings, setting the stage for a challenging chase.
India faced early setbacks, with Arshin Kulkarni and Musheer Khan departing early in the innings. Despite captain Uday Saharan’s rescue acts in previous games, he couldn’t replicate his heroics, falling to Mahli Beardman in the 17th over. The anticipated collapse followed, with wickets tumbling as India slipped from 55/3 to 91/6.
Adarsh Singh, India’s opener and top-scorer with 47 runs, displayed resilience, but the team struggled against the formidable Australian bowling attack. Beardman and Raf Macmillan combined for six wickets, ultimately bowling out India for 174 in 43.5 overs.
Australia’s innings showcased crucial partnerships, with Harry Dixon and captain Hugh Weibgen contributing 78 runs, and Harjas Singh and Ryan Hicks adding 66 runs for the fourth wicket. Harjas Singh’s impressive 55 off 64 balls, complemented by Hicks and Oliver Peake’s contributions, propelled Australia to a record-setting total.
Australia’s dominant performance with both bat and ball secured their U19 World Cup title, leaving India to reflect on the missed opportunities during the chase. The match lived up to its billing, providing cricket fans with a memorable final showdown between these two cricketing powerhouses.
