Inside the Calm How India U19 Chased Down a Historic Target Without Breaking a Sweat

Chasing 311 runs in a World Cup semifinal sounds like a nightmare for any team, let alone a group of teenagers. But for the India U19 squad, it was just another day at the office. In a high-stakes clash against Afghanistan at Harare, the "Boys in Blue" pulled off a record-breaking chase to secure their spot in the U19 World Cup final for the 10th time.

While Afghanistan’s Faisal Shinozada and Uzairullah Niyazai both smashed centuries to set a daunting 310-run total—the first time any team has crossed 300 against India in U19 World Cup history—the Indian response was nothing short of clinical.

"It Was an Easy Total" – Captain Ayush Mhatre

After the seven-wicket victory, Indian captain Ayush Mhatre opened up about the team's mindset. While the scoreboard looked intimidating, the vibe in the dressing room was surprisingly relaxed.

"The conversation was simple: just play your natural game," Mhatre revealed. He credited the flat pitch at Harare, describing it as a "belter" where runs were easy to come by if you stayed focused. To the captain and his boys, 311 wasn't a mountain—it was a reachable destination.

The Power of the Start

The chase was fueled by a blistering start from 14-year-old prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi. His quickfire 68 off just 33 balls turned the tide early. "He took the pressure off completely," Mhatre said. By the time the first 10 overs were up, India already had 90 runs on the board, leaving Afghanistan’s bowlers searching for answers.

Aaron George then took the baton, anchoring the innings with a brilliant 115. Despite not having a huge run of form leading up to the game, the team’s trust in his "natural game" paid off when it mattered most. Mhatre himself chipped in with a solid 62, ensuring the chase was completed with nearly 9 overs to spare.

Eyes on the Final

India is now set to face England in the final on February 6. When asked about the quick turnaround and recovery time, Mhatre remained unfazed. "We’re used to this. We’ve played a lot of cricket in India with back-to-back games. We’ll be ready."

With five titles already in the bag, India enters the final as the most successful team in the tournament’s history. The message to the fans is clear: “Support us, and we’ll give our 110% to bring that trophy home.”

Read More: Inside the Calm How India U19 Chased Down a Historic Target Without Breaking a Sweat