‘Ab India vs Pakistan ho jaaye bas’ – Fans react as India beat South Africa by 2 wickets in U19 WC, qualify for finals

India secured their fifth consecutive U19 World Cup final spot with a thrilling two-wicket victory over South Africa on February 6. Despite an early batting collapse, captain Uday Saharan and Sachin Dhas displayed exceptional composure to guide India to victory with seven balls to spare.

The hosts, South Africa, posted a commendable total of 244 runs, becoming the first team to surpass the 200-run mark against India in this tournament. Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Richard Seletswane played crucial roles with scores of 76 and 64, respectively.

Apart from them, not a single batter crossed the 25-run mark as the Indian bowlers led with a fabulous comeback. For India, Raj Limbani took three wickets, while Musheer Khan got two. Naman Tiwari and Samuy Pandey took wickets each, too. SA finished their innings with 244 runs after losing seven wickets in 50 overs.

Uday Saharan and Sachin Dhas help India make a comeback

India faced a rocky start in their chase, losing two wickets within the initial four overs. The departure of Adarsh Singh and Musheer Khan, the tournament’s top scorer, posed a significant challenge. However, Captain Saharan and Dhas crafted a remarkable partnership, showcasing composure rarely seen even in senior-level cricket.

Dhas, known for his flamboyant shots, continued his impressive form, while Captain Saharan anchored the innings with a strategic approach, absorbing pressure before accelerating the run rate. The duo’s resilience eventually led India to victory, despite the South African bowling attack pushing them to the limit.

South Africa’s 26 extras proved costly as India clinched the thriller, remaining unbeaten in the tournament. The win sets up an intriguing U19 World Cup final for India against the winner of the second semi-final between Pakistan and Australia on February 11. The clash promises to be a fitting conclusion to India’s impressive journey in the competition.

Here is how fans react to India’s victory: