Veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin praised India U19 captain Uday Saharan for his remarkable composure during the ICC World Cup. Ravichandran Ashwin drew parallels between the match-winning ability and calm demeanor of Uday Saharan and Rinku Singh.
Uday Saharan guided the Indian team to the final of the ongoing ICC U19 World Cup in South Africa. The Indian captain played a decisive goal against the hosts in the semi-final. He was awarded Player of the Match for his brilliant display of batting under pressure.
Saharan put together a record 171-run partnership after India struggled at 32/4. Sachin (96) came close to making a well-deserved century and Saharan contributed 81 runs before being dismissed. India recorded a thrilling two-wicket victory over the Proteas.
Uday Saharan’s composure impresses me – Ravichandran Ashwin
In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Ravichandran Ashwin highlighted Uday Saharan’s growing reputation as the “find of the tournament”. However, Ashwin emphasized that what really stands out is Saharan’s composure, not just his runs.
“This World Cup, many people are already calling him (Uday Saharan) the discovery of the World Cup; He is the first captain to hold the team’s top position. It’s not about the races; What impresses me is Uday Saharan’s ability to win matches, it is the composure with which he plays”, Ashwin said.
“Something like Rinku Singh, which I told recently. It cannot be bought with money. Uday Saharan has that ingrained in him. He has a enough security. He has a calm, serene and confident character.” he added.
Uday Saharan leads batting charts in ICC U19 World Cup 2024
Uday Saharan rose to the top spot in the batting charts after his outstanding performance in the semi-final. He scored 389 runs in six innings at an impressive average of 64.83, including a century and three half-centuries, his highest score being 100.
Saharan scored a century against Nepal and contributed consistently with scores of 64 against Bangladesh, 75 against Ireland and 81 against South Africa in the crucial semi-final match.
Musheer Khan is the second highest run-scorer of the tournament, scoring 338 runs at an average of 67.6, including two centuries and fifties. Sachin Dhas occupies the third position, having amassed 294 runs in six innings at an impressive average of 73.
India has been unbeaten in the U-19 World Cup 2024, showing exceptional performance in every match except the semi-final, which it won by a narrow margin of two wickets against South Africa. The team has the opportunity to defend its title in the final.
India will face Australia in the 2024 final at Willowmoore Park, Benoni, on February 11. This is India’s ninth appearance in the championship final, underlining their dominance in the tournament. The Indian team has recorded five Under-19 World Cup titles in history.
India is competing in its third final match against Australia. Australia has never emerged victorious against India in an Under-19 World Cup final. A victory for India would secure their sixth title, while a victory for Australia would mark their fourth championship.
Also read: Uday Saharan is not thinking about the revenge of the senior team ahead of the Under 19 World Cup final between India and Australia