India’s Under-19 cricket team is poised to battle it out with their Australian counterparts in the highly-anticipated ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2024 final on February 10. Both teams have shown exceptional skill and determination throughout the tournament, and the final is set to be a true test of their mettle. India, as the defending champions and five-time winners of the tournament, are set to make their eighth final appearance, with a history of impressive performances against the Australians.
The Indian team has demonstrated a strong form leading up to the final, with a seamless run in the group and super six stages. In a tense semifinal, they managed a closely fought two-wicket victory when chasing a challenging 245-run target set by South Africa. Furthermore, India’s young cricketers have held a recent edge over Australia in youth ODIs, securing four consecutive wins and looking to extend this dominance in the upcoming final.
Australia, itself a formidable cricketing nation with two U19 World Cup titles, has shown that they are no strangers to competition and nerve-wracking finishes. Their semifinal bout against Pakistan was a testament to their tenacity, where they chased down a 180-run target at Willowmoore Park, clinching a nail-biting one-wicket win with just five balls left on the clock. This hard-fought victory secured their spot in the final, setting the stage for what promises to be an epic showdown for the coveted title.
The final match is scheduled to commence at 10:00 AM local time (Benoni) on Sunday, February 11, with Indian fans tuning in at 1:30 PM IST to witness the thrilling encounter.
The chosen venue for this ultimate cricketing showdown is none other than Willowmoore Park, Benoni, a ground that has hosted several nail-biting encounters during the tournament. Anticipation is high regarding the playing conditions of the pitch, as it could play a crucial role in determining the outcome of the match.
Cricket enthusiasts from around the world are eager to catch the action live, and they have the option to tune into the television broadcast or stream the match online. Star Sports Network (Star Sports 1 and Star Sports Select 2 channels) will be the go-to for the television audience looking to capture every moment of this enthralling contest.
For fans preferring to stream the match, Disney+ Hotstar remains the premier choice, offering live streaming for Indian users on its application and website platforms.
As squads from both nations gear up for the final, let’s take a glance at the players who carry the aspirations of their respective countries:
The India U19 squad, led by captain Uday Saharan, boasts of some remarkable talent including Adarsh Singh, Arshin Kulkarni, Musheer Khan, Priyanshu Moliya, Sachin Dhas, and Murugan Abhishek. They’ll be supported by wicket-keepers Aravelly Avanish and Innesh Mahajan, alongside a potent bowling attack in Naman Tiwari, Raj Limbani, Saumy Pandey, and the all-important back-up of Aaradhya Shukla, Dhanush Gowda, Rudra Patel, Prem Devkar, Mohamed Amaan, and Ansh Gosai.
Australia, under the captaincy of Hugh Weibgen, presents a strong lineup as well. Players like Harry Dixon, Sam Konstas, Harjas Singh, and Ryan Hicks will aim to make significant contributions, while all-rounders such as Oliver Peake, Tom Campbell, and Raf MacMillan round out a balanced squad. The Australian contingent also includes Charlie Anderson, Harkirat Bajwa, Corey Wasley, Aidan O’Connor, alongside their other skilled teammates.
As the anticipation builds towards this clash of the cricketing future, one thing is certain: the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2024 final between India and Australia promises to be a match to remember, as both teams strive to leave an indelible mark on the world stage and claim the title of world champions.
