We want to bring U19 World Cup Trophy back home – India captain Uday Saharan before final

Team India reached the finals by defeating the Proteas in the semi-finals on Tuesday. Uday Saharan and Co guided India to a thrilling 2-wicket win over South Africa in the 1st semi-finals of the U19 World Cup 2024.

India is all set to play the finals of the Under 19 World Cup 2024 against Australia on February 11, Sunday. Captain Uday Saharan, speaking before the final match of the tournament said that it is the team’s dream to win the tournament and repeat history.

India has already won U19 World Cup trophies and is chasing a record sixth title. They are the defending champions from the 2022 U19 World Cup tournament where they defeated England in the final.

”It is a dream for all of us to win this tournament. Everyone gets only one Under-19 World Cup and we want to repeat the history. We also want to register our names in history. We are focused on giving our best,” Saharan told PTI in an interview.

‘I would like to tell the countrymen to continue supporting us like this. We promise to give everything to bring the Cup back.”

Team India’s power-packed performance in the tournament was highlighted by three 200-plus run margin wins.

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“The secret to our team’s good performance is team bonding. The atmosphere in the dressing room is very friendly, Everyone trusts each other and is ready to help each other. That is why the performance graph has been consistently good,” said Saharan.

“We are not focusing on rival teams, we are concentrating on our own game. We have made a match-by-match strategy and are taking every match seriously,” Saharan, who scored 389 runs in six matches so far, said.

Asked if the Indian colt would have revenge on their minds if they played against Australia since the senior team had lost to them in the ODI World Cup 2023 final, Saharan said, “I am not thinking anything like that.”

“We are focusing on our game and we have to give our best. We are playing according to the match conditions. Every match is important because it is the World Cup and all the teams are good.”

A lot of stalwarts in the senior national team have emerged from the Under 19 World Cup like Mohammed Kaif, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja.

Saharan refused to make comparisons with these star players, saying he won’t take the pressure of legacy.

“I never think about it. I don’t think about the past. I just think about how I can give my best for the team and how to get the best out of the team.”

Chasing a target of 245 runs in the semi-final against South Africa, Sahraan pulled the team out of trouble after it had lost 4 wickets for just 32 runs. Uday Saharan pulled the team out of the pits with a record 171-run partnership for the 5th wicket with Sachin Das (96).

“My father has taught me to play it as long as possible. I choose to be the finished and I will try to fulfil the responsibility till the end, to take the team to victory.”

“I don’t have to do anything different. Anyway, I remain calm even if the match is in a tight spot. It is important to keep the mind working and I feel that I am doing right now and will do the same in future also.”

“Shubman Gill is also from Fazilka and has emerged from the U19 World Cup which is inspiring. My aim from the beginning was also to make my country proud,” he said.

“Virat Kohli is my favourite because his passion and aggression are amazing. His love for the game, enthusiasm and desire to win inspires me. I have never met him but we have talked on the team video call. I want to meet him very soon,” he concluded.