After being reduced to 32-4 in the all-important semi-final clash against South Africa, at the ICC U-19 World Cup 2024, Team India has just shown, why they are the best side, by a big margin, in the age-group cricket. On Tuesday, Uday Saharan (81), and Sachin Dhas (96), took India to their fifth consecutive finals at the tournament, that only speaks volumes of the U-19 sides over the years.
To go with the fifth consecutive final — in 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022, 2024 — India also has the most titles to their name as well. The most successful side in the history of the U-19 World Cup, with five titles, India is also the most successful team in this age group.
The team, over the years, has played 329 OD matches in the U-19 category, including the World Cups, and won 237 of those. and lost only 61. The India colts hate losing, and have a staggering record against the Australians, English, the South Africans, and the Kiwis.
Against Australia, in the 37 matches played, India has won 23 and lost 14. With England the record gets better with 38 wins and 11 defeats. Versus New Zealand, our boys have won 17 and lost only three, out of 20 played. In the 26 matches against South Africa, India has emerged victorious in 20 of those.
India U-19 Dominance in Last 5 Years
In 2024, India is yet to lose a match. They have played 11 matches so far, and won 10, with one match against Australia ending as ‘no result’. In 2023, shockingly enough, India had an ordinary Asia Cup campaign where they lost to Pakistan, and then Bangladesh in the semis.
2022 was again a brilliant year for the team, where they won all their matches. Out of eight played, India won all of them. 2021 saw India lose just one encounter against Pakistan, in the group stages of the Asia Cup, a tournament they eventually won. Lastly, 2020 was another mighty successful year for the Indians.
But it ended with a heartbreak, as the team lost the U-19 World Cup final 2020, against Bangladesh. That was the only loss which came India’s way that year. They were unbeaten in 11 matches prior to that.
