Australia asserted their supremacy in the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2024 final by clinching a resounding victory over India. The match, held in Benoni, witnessed Australia’s complete control in all facets of the game, ultimately triumphing over their opponents by a commanding margin of 79 runs.
The foundation of Australia’s triumph was laid early on, as they won the crucial toss and elected to bat first. Led by the strategic acumen of captain Hugh Weibgen, Australia set out to build a formidable total.
Despite the absence of Tom Campbell, Charlie Anderson filled in admirably for the team. India, opting to stick with their unchanged lineup, faced the daunting task of containing Australia’s batting lineup.
Australia’s innings got off to a solid start, with the batsmen displaying commendable determination and skill. Harjas Singh emerged as the linchpin of their innings, anchoring the batting effort with a well-compiled 55 runs.
However, it was not a one-man show, as contributions from Weibgen, Harry Dixon, and Ollie Peak propelled Australia to a record-breaking total of 253/7. This marked the highest-ever score in an U19 World Cup final, a testament to Australia’s batting prowess on the big stage.
Despite the spirited efforts of Raj Limbani, who starred for India with figures of 3/38, Australia’s batsmen managed to assert their dominance and set a daunting target for their opponents.
In response, India’s chase got off to a shaky start, as they lost key wickets early in their innings. Musheer Khan, Uday Saharan, and Sachin Dhas, India’s top run-getters in the tournament, all fell victim to Australia’s disciplined bowling attack within the first 20 overs.
The early blows dealt by Australia’s bowlers set the tone for the remainder of the match, as India struggled to recover from the early setbacks.
Despite a valiant effort from Abhishek Murugan, who fought bravely with the bat and scored a gritty 42 runs, India found themselves unable to stem the tide of Australia’s dominance.
Mahli Beardman emerged as the chief tormentor for India, claiming crucial wickets including that of skipper Uday Saharan, further denting India’s hopes of mounting a successful chase.
Australia’s bowlers maintained relentless pressure on India’s batting lineup, consistently picking up wickets at crucial intervals. Although Adarsh Singh showed resilience with a well-crafted 47, his efforts ultimately proved insufficient in the face of Australia’s determined bowling performance.
As the match progressed, Australia’s superiority became increasingly evident, with their bowlers exhibiting precision and control to stifle India’s batting efforts.
Despite brief resistance from India’s lower order, Australia remained firmly in control, eventually bowling out their opponents for a total of 174 runs.
With this comprehensive victory, Australia not only secured the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2024 title but also reaffirmed their status as a powerhouse in the world of cricket.
Their dominant performance throughout the tournament showcased their depth of talent and unwavering resolve, setting a benchmark for excellence in youth cricket on the global stage.
