The Indian U-19 cricket team is set to face Bangladesh U-19 in the Asia Cup final on Sunday, seeking revenge after last year’s defeat in the summit clash. After a tough start to the tournament with a loss to Pakistan, India made a strong comeback with dominant victories against Japan and UAE in the group stage. In the semifinals, India triumphed over Sri Lanka to secure their spot in the final.
On the other hand, Bangladesh also finished second in their group, having defeated Nepal and Afghanistan while losing to Sri Lanka. The defending champions secured a spot in the final by defeating Pakistan in the semifinals.
India, with eight Asia Cup titles to their name, will be looking to extend their record, while Bangladesh aims to defend their title after winning last year’s final against India. Key players for India include Ayush Mhatre and the talented 13-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who have been in excellent form with the bat. Meanwhile, Bangladesh will rely heavily on their deadly bowling duo of Mohammad Al Fahad and Mohammad Iqbal Hasan Emon to disrupt India’s batting lineup.
The Under-19 Asia Cup, established in 1989, has traditionally provided a proving ground for emerging cricket talents in Asia. Over the decades, the tournament’s finals have featured intense rivalries and moments that foreshadowed future international stars. As the 2024 semifinals line up with India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka all still in contention, it’s insightful to look back at how these teams have performed in past championship matches.
India U19 in Finals
India’s U19 team has historically dominated the Asia Cup, frequently showcasing depth in both batting and bowling. Among all participating teams, they have the most titles, reflecting India’s robust youth development system. Some highlights:
- 1989 (Bangladesh): India won the inaugural edition, beating Sri Lanka by 79 runs. This early triumph set the tone for India’s continued success at the U19 level.
- 2003 (Pakistan): India again emerged victorious over Sri Lanka, winning by 8 wickets. This period was marked by the rising standard of India’s junior cricket infrastructure.
- 2012 (Malaysia): The final was tied between India and Pakistan, resulting in the trophy being shared. This rare stalemate showed how closely matched the two archrivals were at the youth level.
- 2013/14 (UAE): India overcame Pakistan by 40 runs in a tense final. The win reaffirmed India’s ability to perform under pressure in high-stakes matches.
- 2016 (Sri Lanka): India once again defeated Sri Lanka, winning by 34 runs, underlining their status as the most consistent side in the tournament’s history.
- 2018 (Bangladesh): India trounced Sri Lanka by a massive 144-run margin, further reinforcing their dominance.
- 2019 (Sri Lanka): In a nail-biter, India edged out Bangladesh by just 5 runs. This final showcased that the gap between India and the chasing pack was narrowing, with Bangladesh beginning to assert itself as a serious contender.
- 2021 (UAE): India bested Sri Lanka again, this time by 9 wickets under the DLS method. India’s continued resilience and knack for producing well-rounded players remained evident.
By the time the 2024 edition rolled around, India had solidified itself as the most successful team in the tournament’s history, entering nearly every U19 Asia Cup as favorites.