Avengers Assemble: ‘Ahead of World Cup final, U19 captain Uday Saharan told whole team, ‘We can’t lose to Australia again’ | Cricket News

When the WhatsApp group of the current India U-19 group was created, most of the talk was regarding India’s ODI World Cup final loss to Australia. The group was formed on November 24, five days after the Ahmedabad heartbreak. Sanjay Dhas, father of Sachin, who starred in the the semis with 96 against the best pace attack of the tournament, describes how the yellow brigade looms large on their legend. “Most talk was about how Australia have always dominated India in the big tournaments. We lost the World Test Championship (WTC) final and then the ODI World Cup final. I have watched the highlights of the 2003 World Cup final so many times with my son. He knows how important it is to beat Australia. I have told him there is no bigger pride than beating Australia in the final. Australians are tough and you guys will have to beat them at their own game,” Sanjay says.
“Each one of them are ready for this match. They want to beat Australia in the final. While going to the hotel after the Pakan vs Australia tie, captain Uday Saharan, told everyone ‘We can’t lose to them again,’” shares Sanjay.

Sanjeev Saharan, father of Uday Saharan who’s the tournament’s leading run scorer with a tally of 389, is upbeat that his son might join the l of Mohammad Kaif, Virat Kohli, Unmukt Chand, Prithvi Shaw and Yash Dhull and will return home with a trophy.
“Post the semi-final triumph, there is a confidence in the team that they can win from anywhere. In the morning, we video-called him and the coach in me was trying to give him some advice, but he kept on repeating one line ‘Papa, hum jeetenge. Ab fikr mat karo (We will win, don’t you worry about it). From being down and out against South Africa, they went on to win the match, the confidence is sky high,” says Saharan Sr.
Considering their form and the brand of cricket they have played, if not for Australia being their opponents, India would have been unquestionable favourites for the final. But Indian fans, will never forget how Pat Cummins and his men silenced over 1 lakh-capacity crowd at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Indian captain Uday Saharan, who had shed tears on his father’s shoulder on November 19, knows the importance of this contest. “We carry the dreams of a billion hearts on our shoulders,” he said in the pre-match press conference.

“In this final battle, we aim to create a legacy that inspires the next generation. It’s not just a game; it’s a chance to etch our names in hory. Right from our first game, we have played with passion, determination, and a belief that we will get the coveted title home. In the final, against Australia, it is going to be no different as we go one step closer to defending the title succesfully. As a captain, I couldn’t have asked for anything more from my team as we stand on the cusp of creating hory,” Uday added.

Last time when an Indian team faced Australia in South Africa, it proved to be a forgettable day for the gung-ho Indian fans. The Sourav Ganguly-led team was on the receiving end as they lost the 2003 final 125 runs. The onslaught of Ricky Ponting is embedded in all the Indian fan’s memories.
Laxman not scalded 2003 WC loss
Aril Anthony, the coach of Saumy Pandey, India’s leading wicket-taker in the World Cup, believes the 2003 final won’t get repeated as this time around India has Australia’s biggest nemesis VVS Laxman in their dressing room.
“2003 mey Laxman sir nahi they. Iss baar hai, wo Australia se nahi haar sakte (In 2003 final, we didn’t have VVS Laxman in the final. But this time around we have him in our corner and he can’t lose to Australia),” laughs Anthony.
Anthony had also set a challenge for his ward and that was to perform in the big matches.

“Yes, he has taken 17 wickets. But those wickets are against Bangladesh, Ireland and Nepal, and I have told him if you want to catch everyone’s attention, do well in the final and it can’t get better than doing well against the Australians,” he says.
Left-arm quick Naman Tiwari might have gone somewhat unnoticed but before the start of the tournament, he told this newspaper about how confident the team was ahead of the tournament following the Asia Cup setback.

“We have won the trophy five times and to be honest there is pressure to win the Cup. Following the loss in the Asia Cup, in the team meeting, VVS sir told us that we are a much better team than we have performed. We just need fine-tuning and we can win the World Cup in South Africa,” Naman had said.
In the last two occasions, when these two teams have collided in the U-19 final, India got the better of Australia. In 2012, it was Unmukt Chand’s century that guided India to a six-wicket win at Townsville. Six years later across the Trans Tasman at Mount Maunganui, it was Manjot Kalra’s ton which helped India thrash Australia eight wickets.
Australia U19s have lost both their finals against India. But Australia will come hard. They know how to win big moments – and that elusive art can be priceless in this World Cup final. Australia booked their place in the tournament decider with a thrilling one-wicket triumph over a gallant Pakan in Benoni on Thursday.
“This is an opportunity to make our coaches as well as family and friends extremely proud. They have helped and supported us along the journey,” says Australia captain, Hugh Weibgen.
“India have obviously also had an outstanding tournament so far and are a class team. We’re expecting they will provide a challenge for us, and we are looking forward to it,” he said.