As the ICC Men’s U19 Cricket World Cup 2024 reaches its business end after the end of 38 league and Super six matches over a period of 16 days since the start of the tourney, the clash between India and South Africa in the first Semi-finals promises to be a riveting encounter, with Willowmoore Park in Benoni, South Africa on Tuesday 6th February, 2024.

India

Five times reigning champions have been a force throughout the tournament so far, not only winning each of their five matches, but also dominating their opponents with three of their wins coming by a margin of over 200 runs.

India have found consistent contributors both with the bat and ball, but it is their batting prowess that has stood out in the tournament. Remarkably, five different players have notched up centuries to date at the tournament.

India commenced their tournament with a commanding 84-run victory over Bangladesh, led by Saumy Pandey's impressive four-wicket haul.

In the following match against Ireland, Musheer Khan's century propelled India beyond the 300-run mark, with Naman Tiwari contributing a four-wicket haul for a resounding 201-run win.

The momentum continued as the defending champions breached 300 runs once more, this time against the USA. Opener Arshin Kulkarni passed three figures this time, before Naman recorded successive four-fors as India emerged victors by the same margin.

The Super Six stage then rolled around, and up against New Zealand, Musheer Khan showcased his brilliance with a second century, setting a target of 296. Saumy Pandey’s four wickets dismantled any hope of a chase, as the Blackcaps were bowled out for just 81.

Centuries from captain Uday Saharan and Sachin Dhas laid the foundation for a big total of 297/5 in their final super Six match against Nepal. Pandey's left-arm spin wreaked havoc once again, leading to a 131-run victory as India punched their tickets to the semi-finals.

South Africa

The host on the other hand have lost only once in the tournament – against England in the group stages. But the hosts have momentum on their side with dominant victories thereafter – among their highlights has been their explosive chase of 273 runs for victory in 27 overs against Scotland to secure top spot in the group stages.

The Proteas' opening batters, Steve Stolk and Lhuan-dre Pretorius, have showcased exceptional form, leading the charge for the home side. In addition their bowling attack however has been spearheaded by the tournament's top wicket-taker, Kwena Maphaka. The left-arm pacer has effortlessly dismantled opposing batting lineups, claiming three five-wicket hauls along the way.

The hosts started off their tournament with a thrilling win over West Indies in a closely contested match. Kwena Maphaka’s scintillating five-for trumped Jewel Andrew’s valiant ton as the Proteas won by 31 runs.

South Africa then suffered their first and only defeat, losing out against England by 36 runs (DLS) in a rain-truncated match.

However, they bounced back in style by chasing 273 in 27 overs against Scotland. Steve Stolk smashed a fifty off just 13 balls, the fastest in U19 Men’s CWC history and was well supported by Dewan Marais’s 50-ball 80.

In their first outing in the Super Six stage, Kwena Maphaka's second five-wicket haul restricted Zimbabwe to a lowly 102. South Africa launched another explosive chase to secure a comfortable win in just 13.3 overs, with Pretorius contributing a quickfire half-century.

In their final Super Six game, Sri Lanka’s bowling posed a challenge, restricting the hosts to a modest 232 runs. However, Maphaka's outstanding six-wicket haul tore through the Islanders' batting lineup, securing South Africa's qualification and a blockbuster matchup against India in the semi-final with an emphatic 119-run victory.

Even as the two sides meet in the crucial knock-out stage, India will, however, take confidence from the fact that they successfully negated the hosts earlier in the tri-series by six wickets while chasing a competitive score of 256. The key protagonists being captain Uday Saharan who scored a century and Musheer Khan who took five wickets, preceding the U19 Men’s CWC.

Playing XI to choose from:

India: Adarsh Singh, Arshin Kulkarni, Priyanshu Moliya, Uday Saharan(Capt), Sachin Dhas, Musheer Khan, Aravelly Avanish(WK), Murugan Abhishek, Raj Limbani, Saumy Pandey, Aaradhya Shukla, Ansh Gosai, Dhanush Gowda, Naman Tiwari, Rudra Patel, Prem Devkar, Mohamed Amaan, Innesh Mahajan

South Africa: Lhuan-dre Pretorius(WK, Steve Stolk, David Teeger, Richard Seletswane, Dewan Marais, Juan James(Capt), Romashan Pillay, Riley Norton, Tristan Luus, Nqobani Mokoena, Kwena Maphaka, Martin Khumalo, Oliver Whitehead, Sipho Potsane, Ntando Zuma, Raeeq Daniels

Photo Above: Indian skipper Uday Saharan motivates his team mates on the eve of their Semi-final tie against South Africa (Photo courtesy BCCI/ICC)