Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif has reignited the debate surrounding the ICC U19 World Cup 2023 final with his recent post, prompting speculation on whether Gautam Gambhir will respond.
Kaif commended Australia’s performance in their victory over India in the U19 World Cup final at Benoni, acknowledging their superiority both “on the pitch and on paper.” Australia’s triumph marked the end of their winless streak against India in U19 title clashes, as their pace attack successfully defended a total of 254 against the Men in Blue. This win secured Australia their first U19 title since 2010 and their fourth overall.
Taking to social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Kaif expressed his perspective that at the U19 level, team results hold less significance. Instead, he emphasized the importance of young talents learning valuable lessons that contribute to their development in the long run. Furthermore, Kaif extended congratulations to the Indian team for their commendable performances throughout the tournament.
“In the U-19 level, team results don’t carry significant weight. Future stars glean lessons that aid them on their journey. Well played, India. This time, it must be acknowledged that Australia performed admirably on the pitch and on paper. #U19WorldCup2024,” remarked Kaif.
Kaif’s remarks have sparked a discussion among cricket enthusiasts, eagerly awaiting a response from Gautam Gambhir or further engagement on the matter.
Recapping the crucial moments of the match, Australia’s strong start with two maiden overs set the tone for what would unfold over the next 43.5 overs. India faced early setbacks during the first powerplay as Arshin Kulkarni and Musheer Khan fell victim to Australia’s disciplined bowling, granting them an early advantage in the final.
Chasing a target of 254, India encountered further challenges when Mahli Beardman dismissed their skipper, Uday Saharan, for a single-digit score, signaling a tough battle ahead for the Indian team.
Despite valiant efforts from Adarsh Singh (47) and Murugan Abhishek (42), India fell short in their chase.
Australia’s bowling unit, led by Mahli Beardman’s exceptional performance with figures of 3/15, supported by Raf MacMillan (3/43) and Calium Vidler (2/35), proved decisive in restricting India’s pursuit. Tom Straker and Charlie Anderson also chipped in with crucial wickets.
Opting to bat first after winning the toss, Australia’s skipper Hugh Weibgen’s decision paid off as his team posted a challenging total of 254 runs in the final. Contributions from Harjas Singh (55), skipper Hugh Weibgen (48), and Oliver Peake (46) were instrumental in Australia’s innings. India’s bowling attack, spearheaded by Raj Limbani (3/38) and Naman Tiwari (2/63), tried to contain the Australian batsmen, but Australia managed to reach a formidable total before India was bundled out for 174.
Ultimately, Australia’s comprehensive 79-run victory over defending champions India in the Under-19 World Cup final at Willowmoore Park marked another heartbreak for the Indian team in a World Cup final. This victory secured Australia their fourth Under-19 World Cup title.
