The boys in blue came back from an early second innings setback to beat South Africa in a thrilling ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup semi-final at Willowmoore Park in Benoni.
Uday Saharan was on point at the coin toss for only the second time in six games as the visitors opted to bowl first.
Steve Stolk got a good start before Raj Limbani got the better of the opener to dismiss him for 14.
Lhuan-dre Pretorius was unstoppable for the first half of the innings, smashing 76 off 102 before Murugan Abhishek caught him off the bowling of Musheer Khan.
Pretorius’s partnership with Richard Seletswane (64) ensured the scoreboard ticked — with the Proteas making 244/7 in their 50 overs.
The bowlers then took centre stage early on in the second innings, with star man Kwena Maphaka and Tristan Luus striking thrice in the powerplay.
India were in deep trouble at 32/4, making their comeback even more remarkable.
Sachin Dhas teamed up with captain Uday Saharan at the crease for a phenomenal 171-run partnership that got the boys in blue right back into the game.
Maphaka struck again at the death to create a nerve-wracking finish, but India would prevail with two wickets and seven balls to spare.
It was heartbreak for the hosts, but jubilation for the defending champions who now await either Australia or rivals Pakistan in Sunday’s final.
Pictured above: Sachin Dhas and Uday Saharan.
Image source: @indiancricketteam
