Post 21 days of exhilarating 40 group stage, super six league phase and two nerve wrecking semi-final matches in the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2024, the stage is all set for the two unbeaten teams India and Australia to battle it out for supremacy in the grand finale on Sunday 11th February in Benoni, South Africa.

For record purposes the intriguing contest at the big stage comes at the backdrop of last year’s ICC World Test Championship Final and the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup final between these two cricketing nations.  

After having topped their respective groups in both the initial stage and the Super Six stage the two finalists faced stiff opposition from their equally talented opponents.

Reigning champions India booked their spot in the final after beating hosts South Africa by two wickets earlier on Tuesday. Chasing 245 for victory, India battled back from 32 for four to seal a memorable win thanks to a brilliant match-winning 171 run partnership between Sachin Dhas and captain Uday Saharan for the fifth wicket and Raj Limbani three wicket haul.

Thursday’s second semi-final also provided no shortage of drama, as Australia emerged victorious over Pakistan by one wicket in the final over of the contest. Having bowled out Pakistan for a seemingly below par total of 179, Australia stuttered in their chase before their middle and lower order formed crucial partnerships to help them edge home in thrilling fashion.

The teams have met in the U19 Men's Cricket World Cup final twice before with India emerging victorious on both occasions (2012 and 2018).

Powerhouse India who have won the ICC age group World Cup on five previous occasions, will aim to extend it to a record sixth title which would be their first successful defence of the crown. The ‘Boys in Blue’ incidentally are featuring in the fifth successive final at this event.

Australia on the other hand are aiming for a rare quadruple after clinching three major pieces of ICC silverware in the past year, which includes the two titles named above and the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2023, won twelve months ago on South African soil.

Among the future stars that have impressed throughout the competition are skippers Uday Saharan of India and Hugh Weibgen of Australia, and both have their sights firmly set on lifting the coveted trophy on Sunday.

Speaking ahead of the final, India captain, Uday Saharan said,, “As we approach the World Cup final, we carry the dreams of a billion hearts on our shoulders. Our journey has been a testament to our hard work, unity, and love for the game. 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 history”.

The middle order batter Saharan who is also the leading run scorer in the tourney with 389 runs and played a key role in his team getting better with each match further added,  “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 successfully. Together, as one team, one nation, we march into the final, ready to seize our moment and make India proud. As a captain, I couldn’t have asked for anything more from my team as we stand at the cusp of creating history.”

Australia captain, Hugh Weibgen on the other hand said, “We're really pleased to have made it through to the final after a close game against Pakistan and we can't wait to take on India in Sunday's final. The whole squad has done a terrific job throughout the tournament, and it would mean so much to us as a group to lift the trophy on Sunday. 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”.

He further added, “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.”

Predicted XI

Both teams will be expected to feature the same XIs that played in their respective semi-finals. 

India

Adarsh Singh, Arshin Kulkarni, Musheer Khan, Uday Saharan (C), Priyanshu Moliya, Sachin Dhas, Aravelly Avanish (WK), Murugan Abhishek, Naman Tiwari, Raj Limbani, Saumy Pandey.

Australia
Harry Dixon, Sam Konstas, Hugh Weibgen (C), Harjas Singh, Ryan Hicks (WK), Ollie Peake, Tom Campbell, Raf MacMillan, Tom Straker, Mahli Beardman, Callum Vidler

Photo above: Indian captain Uday Saharan and his Australian counterpart Hugh Weibgen pose with the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup trophy on the eve of the grand finale (Photo courtesy The-ICC)