In yet another thrilling showdown between cricketing giants, Australia emerged victorious over India in the ICC U19 Men's World Cup 2024 final, marking their third consecutive triumph in an ICC tournament final against their arch-rivals.

The clash, reminiscent of past encounters in the ICC World Test Championship Final and the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup, saw Australia's bowling prowess shine as they thwarted India's formidable batting lineup to clinch a historic fourth World Cup title. Spearheaded by standout performances from Mahli Beardman and Raf MacMillian, who claimed three wickets each,Australia's bowling attack proved to be the difference-maker. 

Callum Vidler's leadership at the forefront, supported by contributions from Charlie Anderson and Tom Straker, ensured a strong start for Australia, setting the stage for their 79-run victory over India in the final.
Both teams entered the final undefeated, poised on the brink of history as they battled it out on the field in Benoni on February 11th.
 Australia, eyeing a rare quadruple after securing three major ICC titles in the past year, including the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2023, approached the final with determination and focus.

Indian captain Saharan expressed his team's unwavering belief and commitment to bringing home the coveted title, rallying his squad with passion and determination. Meanwhile, Australian captain Hugh Weibgen acknowledged the formidable challenge posed by India and expressed his team's eagerness to lift the trophy.
As the stage was set for a thrilling finale, both teams showcased their prowess and determination, with Australia ultimately emerging victorious, etching their name once again in cricketing history.

Throughout the tournament:
India Team -

India showcased their dominance, particularly in the early stages, with resounding victories over Bangladesh, Ireland, and the USA. Stellar performances from Saumy Pandey, Musheer Khan, and Naman Tiwari propelled them to victory, setting a formidable tone for their campaign. 

In the Super Six stage, Musheer Khan's second century proved pivotal in securing a crucial win against New Zealand, while Uday Saharan and Sachin Dhas shone with centuries in a commanding victory over Nepal.

Despite facing a stern test in the semi-final clash against South Africa, India's resilience prevailed, with a gritty partnership between Saharan and Dhas guiding them to victory. Notably, India's trend of setting targets and winning by significant margins in the early stages underscored their dominance and strategic prowess.

Australia Team -
Hugh Weibgen's Australian side navigated the group stage with varying degrees of dominance, relying on different players to step up at crucial moments. While Callum Vidler's leadership and the prowess of their pacers were instrumental in victories against Namibia and Zimbabwe, it was the batting heroics of Harry Dixon and Sam Konstas that propelled them to success in key encounters. 
Despite facing setbacks, such as a batting slip-up against the West Indies, Australia's ability to weather challenges and secure victories highlighted their resilience. However, their tendency to endure shaky moments in run-chases and reliance on individual performances rather than collective efforts posed potential vulnerabilities.

As both teams advanced through the tournament, their contrasting approaches and strengths set the stage for an electrifying clash in the final. While India's dominance and strategic acumen posed a formidable challenge, Australia's resilience and ability to overcome obstacles hinted at a fiercely contested showdown for the ultimate prize.
In the semi-finals against Pakistan, Australia's batting faltered yet again after Tom Straker’s six-wicket haul had put them on top. Digging deep, they managed to scrape through by one wicket to set up a mouth-watering tie against India.

Australia have endured shaky moments in each of their three run-chases in the tournament to date. Meanwhile, in the two games they batted first, they won by 225 and 110 runs respectively.
Here are some highlights around IND vs AUS Under-19 World Cup Final :

-Australia outclassed India by 79 runs to seal its fourth World Cup title. 
-Mahli Beardman picked up three wickets as India folded for 174 in 43.5 overs. 
-Indian opener Adarsh Singh scored 47 off   77 balls. 
- Murugan Abhishek scored 42 off 46 balls. 
- Australia scored 253/7 in 50 overs. 
- Harjas Singh scored 55 in 64 balls. 
-Australia Captian Hugh Weibgen scored 48     in 66 balls.
- Oliver Peake led Australia's late charge with an unbeaten 46 off 43. 
- India have won the title six times in 2000, 2008, 2012, 2018 and 2022. 
- Australia have won the title four times in 1998, 2002, 2010 and 2024.

In the aftermath of the U19 World Cup 2024 final, Uday Saharan, the captain of the Indian team, expressed a mix of pride and disappointment as his team fell short of reclaiming the coveted title. Reflecting on the match, Saharan acknowledged Mahli Beardman's stellar performance, which proved decisive in their defeat.

Despite the loss, Saharan commended his team for their resilience and fighting spirit throughout the tournament. However, he admitted that their performance in the final fell short of expectations, citing rash shots and a lack of time spent in the middle as contributing factors. Nevertheless, Saharan remained optimistic, emphasizing the importance of learning from the experience and striving for improvement in the future.

Amidst the disappointment of losing the World Cup crown, Saharan highlighted the lessons gained from the tournament, including valuable insights from the support staff and on-field experiences. Looking ahead, Saharan vowed to continue the team's journey of growth and development, determined to bounce back stronger from the setback.