ICC Under-19 World Cup semifinal : India beats SA by 2 wickets
India, the defending champions, upset hosts South Africa by two wickets in a gripping semifinal. India captain Uday Saharan won the toss and chose to bowl against South Africa in the first semi-final of the Under-19 World Cup on Tuesday.
Chasing a total of 245, India got off to a rough start after losing their top order. However, Sachin Dhas hit a brilliant 96, while skipper Uday Saharan added a vital 81 to help India secure a hard-fought victory. Earlier, South Africa finished 244-7 after being called in to bat first, with Lhuan-dre Pretorius scoring 76. India will face either Pakistan or Australia in the final on Sunday.
South Africa briefly gained the upper hand owing to starter Lhuan-dre Pretorius. However, spinners Musheer Khan, Murugan Abhishek, and Priyanshu Moliya stepped in and stifled the Proteas in the middle overs. India never let up and maintained pressure on the hosts throughout the innings. South Africa were the first side in the competition to score more over 170 against India, but were only able to reach 244/7 in 50 overs.
Chasing 245, Uday Saharan (81) and Sachin Dhas (96) hit half-centuries to help India recover from a top-order collapse.
The guys in blue have not only won every match, but they have dominated their opponents, winning three of them by more than 200 runs. They were hot favourites to overcome hosts South Africa and win their sixth title. Defending champions India have advanced to the final after six successive wins in the event, with their dynamic talent putting up a strong all-around performance to secure their dominance.
South Africa Under-19s innings
- Powerplay 1: Overs 0.1 – 10.0 (Mandatory – 55 runs, 2 wickets)
- South Africa Under-19s: 50 runs in 9.5 overs (59 balls), Extras 5
- Powerplay 2: Overs 10.1 – 40.0 (Mandatory – 108 runs, 2 wickets)
- Drinks: South Africa Under-19s – 72/2 in 14.0 overs (LG Pretorius 42, R Seletswane 9)
- LG Pretorius: 50 off 59 balls (5 x 4, 2 x 6)
- 3rd Wicket: 50 runs in 100 balls (LG Pretorius 32, R Seletswane 18, Ex 2)
- South Africa Under-19s: 100 runs in 25.1 overs (151 balls), Extras 7
- Drinks: South Africa Under-19s – 134/3 in 36.0 overs (R Seletswane 25, O Whitehead 12)
- South Africa Under-19s: 150 runs in 37.4 overs (226 balls), Extras 7
- Powerplay 3: Overs 40.1 – 50.0 (Mandatory – 81 runs, 3 wickets)
- R Seletswane: 50 off 90 balls (2 x 4, 2 x 6)
- South Africa Under-19s: 200 runs in 45.2 overs (272 balls), Extras 10
- Innings Break: South Africa Under-19s – 244/7 in 50.0 overs (R Norton 7, T Luus 23)
India Under-19s innings
- Powerplay 1: Overs 0.1 – 10.0 (Mandatory – 26 runs, 3 wickets)
- Powerplay 2: Overs 10.1 – 40.0 (Mandatory – 166 runs, 1 wicket)
- Drinks: India Under-19s – 41/4 in 15.0 overs (UP Saharan 6, SS Dhas 6)
- India Under-19s: 50 runs in 17.2 overs (104 balls), Extras 9
- 5th Wicket: 50 runs in 65 balls (UP Saharan 13, SS Dhas 32, Ex 5)
- India Under-19s: 100 runs in 24.2 overs (147 balls), Extras 14
- SS Dhas: 50 off 47 balls (9 x 4)
- 5th Wicket: 100 runs in 113 balls (UP Saharan 29, SS Dhas 64, Ex 8)
- Drinks: India Under-19s – 147/4 in 33.0 overs (UP Saharan 41, SS Dhas 70)
- India Under-19s: 150 runs in 33.3 overs (202 balls), Extras 16
- UP Saharan: 50 off 88 balls (3 x 4)
- 5th Wicket: 150 runs in 170 balls (UP Saharan 52, SS Dhas 90, Ex 11)
- Powerplay 3: Overs 40.1 – 50.0 (Mandatory – 56 runs, 4 wickets)
- India Under-19s: 200 runs in 40.4 overs (246 balls), Extras 19
