India vs Australia Final, ICC Under 19 World Cup 2024: Australia defeated India by 79 runs in the final of the ICC Under 19 World Cup 2024 at Willowmoore Park in Benoni on Sunday, February 11.

Australia clinched their fourth title, denying India their sixth with multiple players playing key roles before Tom Straker wrapped things up by dismissing Saumy Pandey for 2.

They bowled India for 174 runs in 43.5 overs while defending the 253-run total with Mahli Beardman and Raf MacMillan being the pick of the bowlers.

 

ALSO READ: Alzarri Joseph Given Not Out Despite Being Short Of His Crease, 'Ridiculous' Decision Sparks Controversy

 

Abhishek Murugan played a promising hand to keep India's hopes alive late in the contest as he scored 42 runs in 46 deliveries.

India were on the brink of a heavy defeat at 122/8 before Murugan stitched a fighting partnership of 46 runs with Naman Tiwari.

 

ALSO READ: Australia Beat West Indies By 34 Runs In 2nd T20I

 

He helped his team decrease the margin before getting dismissed by Callum Vidler in the 41st over with skipper Hugh Weibgen taking the crucial catch.

 They remained undefeated throughout the tournament and capitalised on the grand stage to repeat the senior team's ODI World Cup 2023 final win over the Men in Blue.

The first defeated Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, and Namibia to top Group C and advance to the next round.

The Hugh Weibgen-led side then got the better of England and West Indies in the Super Six stage to make it to the semi-final.

They became part of a thrilling semi-final against Pakistan, defeating them in the end in an emphatic way to make it to yet another final.

Earlier in the match, they opted to bat first and posted a challenging total of 253/7 in their 50 overs on the back of Harjas Singh's crucial 55-run knock.

Raj Limbani was the pick of the bowlers for India as he took three wickets for 38 runs whereas Naman Tiwari picked up two wickets for 63 runs in his nine overs.

Chasing the target, India never looked comfortable as they kept losing wickets at regular intervals.

The opening batter Adarsh Singh was the top run-getter for them, having scored 47 runs off 77 balls before getting dismissed by Beardman in the 31st over.

Beardman and MacMillan picked up three wickets each with Vilder taking two wickets whereas Charlie Anderson and Straker ended up with a wicket each as well.

This was Australia's first-ever win over India in the U19 WC final, having suffered defeat on the last two occasions in 2012 and 2018.

Australia have now four U19 World Cup titles inside the bag, having lifted the trophy in 1998, 2002, and 2010. 

Talking about the Indian team, this was their fourth defeat in the final of the tournament, having lost the title clash previously in 2006, 2016, and 2020.

The Indian team was too brilliant in the tournament as they made it to the final undefeated.

They first outplayed Bangladesh, Ireland, and the USA to top Group A before defeating New Zealand and Nepal in the Super Six stage.

They defeated South Africa in the thrilling final to qualify for the final but missed out on the trophy despite playing some incredible cricket throughout the tournament.