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Under 19 World Cup 2024 Cricket

'Phir se dil toot gaya' - Shock and dismay for fans as Australia defeat India in U19 World Cup final

Australia registered the highest total in a U19 World Cup final - 253/7. The previous highest score was England's 242/3 (while chasing) against New Zealand in 1998.

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Mathew K
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IND vs AUS U19 World Cup final (Source: X)

IND vs AUS U19 World Cup final (Source: X)

Just in three months, India suffered another heartbreaking loss in the World Cup final, that too against the same team. Whether it's the junior team or the senior team, Australia's dominance is consistent. Their U19 team scripted history with a comprehensive 79-run win against the Men in Blue in Benoni on Sunday, February 11. Australia clinched their fourth U-19 World title and moved closer to five-time winners India.

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Talking about the match, Australia, who decided to bat first, lost the wicket of Sam Konstas in the third over. However, captain Hugh Weibgen and opener Harry Dixon ensured that did not affect their side as the duo put on 70+ runs for the second wicket. With both dismissed in the 201st and 23rd overs, India were able to make twin breakthroughs in quick succession.ย 

Naman Tiwari produced a remarkable spell there, but afterward, it was the Harjas Singh show who put up his best score of the tournament to bring his team back into the game. Harjas with a 64-ball 55 and Oliver Peake with 46 off 43 balls, steadied the ship for Australia. Notably, a 66-run partnership between Harjas and Ryan Hicks for the 4th wicket was the turning point of the match.ย 

Australia score highest score in U19 World Cup finals history

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The Men in Yellow thus registered the highest total in a U19 World Cup final - 253/7. The previous highest score was England's 242/3 (while chasing) against New Zealand in 1998. The scoreboard already gave Australia the upper hand and beyond that, they dismissed Indian opener Arshin Kulkarni in the third over. Callum Vidler, the maiden wicket-taker, threatened the Indian batters with two maidens in the first three overs.

Opener Adarsh Singh and Musheer Khan managed to find some resistance, but that did not put India in control. Right-arm pacer Mahli Beardman and off-spinner Raf MacMillan then wreaked havoc with three crucial wickets in quick succession. Beardman removed Musheer first and went on to dismiss the in-form captain Uday Saharan before he could make much of an impact on the scoreboard.

With MacMillan dismissing Dhas, India went into deep trouble and it was just a matter of time before Australia wrapped up the innings. No. 8 batter Murugan Abhishek played a valiant knock (42 off 46), but that wasn't enough for them to cross the finish line. India eventually were bundled out for 174 in 43.5 overs.ย 

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Here's how fans reacted to yet another heartbreak for India in a major international final:

India Australia featured U19 World Cup