(Benoni, South Africa) – Australia etched their name into the history books once again, claiming their fourth Under-19 World Cup title with a convincing 79-run victory over India in the final at Willowmoore Park on Sunday. Despite entering the match as defending champions, India were unable to overcome a disciplined bowling display from the Aussies, falling short of the target of 254 set by their opponents.
Australia’s batting innings was anchored by a patient 79 from captain Hugh Weibgen, who laid the foundation for a competitive total. Contributions from Alex Davies (48) and Connor Ryan (42) further bolstered the score, with the Aussies eventually posting a challenging 253/7 despite a late fightback from the Indian bowlers.
Chasing a tricky target, India’s hopes were dealt an early blow with the dismissal of key batsman Musheer Khan for just 22. The top order faltered, with none of the remaining batsmen managing to convert starts into substantial scores. Only Adarsh Singh (47) and Murugan Abhishek (42) offered any significant resistance, but their efforts weren’t enough to prevent India from collapsing to 174 all out in 43.5 overs.
Australia’s bowling attack shared the spoils effectively, with Mahli Beardman and Raf MacMillan claiming three wickets apiece. Callum Vidler chipped in with two scalps, ensuring India never truly threatened to chase down the total.
The victory marks Australia’s third consecutive win over India in an ICC tournament final, following their triumphs in the World Test Championship and the 2023 ODI World Cup. It also signifies the growing strength of their youth development program, producing a new generation of talented cricketers ready to make their mark on the international stage.
For India, the defeat will be a bitter pill to swallow, especially after their dominant run throughout the tournament. However, the young team will undoubtedly learn from this experience and look to bounce back stronger in future events.
The U19 World Cup serves as a crucial platform for unearthing future stars, and both Australia and India have showcased a wealth of promising talent. The cricketing world eagerly awaits to see how these young guns develop and shape the sport in the years to come.
