A shot at unprecedented glory!

On November 19, 2023, India's much-cherished dream came crashing down to earth at the Motera Stadium. Australia walloped India by six wickets to win the for a historic sixth time. Opener Travis Head played the innings of his life scoring an unbeaten 137 and was involved in a belligerent 192-run partnership with Marnus Labuschagne, thereby batting India out of the game. India's only hope was KL Rahul and their pacers, but it was not to be. And the prayers remained unanswered.

Now, two months and 21 days later, Indian colts take on Australia's young turks in South Africa's Benoni which has the potential to bury the ghost of the Motera. Over the years, both senior and junior Indian teams have done enough at home and on tour to not just confront Australian supremacy, but deal them the knockout punches. Sure, the stage may be different, but nothing else but a win in a final can be the exact revenge for that fateful day in mid-November.

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How will the Indian teens approach this game, probably the biggest in their careers so far? Apart from blanking South Africa in a supreme fashion, this is not the first time they have put together consistently solid performances against world-class opposition. Will the tenth time prove to be too much? Will the pressure of a final, something they have barely experienced so far, intervene with their on-field artistry? Will their bowling and fielding be able to hold the duel together? Questions are aplenty.

Irrespective of what happens on Sunday, this young team has reinforced the belief that they are undisputed leaders at the under-19 level and the cricketing structure the Indian board has developed is working to strive for the better. Whatever the result, India's surge to the final holds the promise of another close encounter. They will fight like warriors, but if they go down, they will still be labelled as true heroes. If they manage to lift the trophy, they will be a part of folklore in the years to come. Either way, a bit of history has already been scripted.

Also Read: A derby not for the faint-hearted!

Form guide: Title winners (most recent first)

India: W L W L L W
Australia: L L L L L L

In the spotlight

India's unalloyed dominance in the U-19 finals will be put through its most unique examination when the Uday Saharan-led Indian side faces a trend-defying Australia in the grand finale of what promises to be a stirring encounter. Saharan, who has led by example to rake up 304 runs with two fifties and a ton while averaging 61.60, has shown why he is one to watch out for in the future.

For most of the semi-final, South African seamers zipped the ball around having the in-form skipper ducking and weaving, but he showed great composure and overcame that tetchy start to guide his side to a familiar route. Besides Saharan, much of India's success in the tournament has been built on his most trusted batter Sachin Dhas' genius, who led by example with a whirlwind 116 in India's last Super Six game against Nepal after his side was put in a spot of bother at 62 for three. Still, it is tough to lay down a singular force behind India's unrivalled ascendancy, particularly in their last few games.

Australia, three-time U-19 champions, and India, the team with the most silverware in their trophy cupboard over the past few decades, were drawn in different halves of the tournament. They would not face each other unless they made it to February 11.

Do expect a sizable crowd on Sunday, more Australians no doubt, but we Indians make up for smaller numbers with rather higher decibel levels. Chak De! India