Mohit Ulva hit a last-ball boundary on Saturday to secure a thrilling win over Pakistan and help India claim the Under-19 Asia Cup title in Oman.
India faced a target that had never been chased in Youth ODIs before at the halfway mark of the match on Saturday. Despite the daunting requirement, the dressing room maintained a firm belief in the depth of their batting lineup.
“It was very simple. They made a score, so we can make it too,” Ulva told cricinfo.com. “We had faith in our batting because our batting is strong. We knew that it was a flat wicket. If we have wickets in our hands, it will happen.”
Opening batter Aaryavir Sehwag set the early foundation with a 61-ball 58. Captain Lakshya Raichandani then anchored the innings with a resilient knock of 80 runs before falling at a critical juncture.
| Player | Runs Scored | Balls Faced |
|---|---|---|
| Lakshya Raichandani | 80 | – |
| Aaryavir Sehwag | 58 | 61 |
| Manal Chauhan | 47 | – |
A mid-innings slide saw India slip from 217 for 4 to 252 for 8, leaving the lower order to complete the task. Coming in at No. 10 in the 42nd over with 86 runs needed from 51 balls, Ulva combined with No. 7 Chauhan for a vital 57-run stand.
After Chauhan fell in the 48th over with 29 runs still required from 16 deliveries, Ulva took charge alongside debutant Chigurupati Venkata. Ulva struck a four and a six off the first two deliveries of the penultimate over to close the gap.
“I just had belief in myself. I had belief in God,” Ulva told cricinfo.com after the match. “The Asia Cup hadn’t been that great for me as a bowler. But I believe in me that I am an allrounder. But till now I didn’t get the opportunity to prove it.”
With eight runs required off the final over, India failed to find a boundary through the first five legal deliveries. Needing three runs off the final ball, Ulva stepped out against legspinner Ahmed Hussain and drilled the ball wide of mid-off for the title-winning boundary.
“I knew I would hit a boundary and I’ll finish the game. I had faith in God,” Ulva told cricinfo.com. “I knew it was my day, and I’ll finish it. I always believe that I will do it in the end.”
Reflecting on the dramatic finish from the sidelines, Sehwag shared his astonishment at the unfolding events.
“I can’t believe what I have witnessed as a viewer because I got out and was watching from the outside. Crazy feeling, mazaa aa gaya (that was fun),” Sehwag told cricinfo.com.
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