In a dominant performance at the U19 Asia Cup 2024, India secured their spot in the semi-finals with a resounding 10-wicket victory over the UAE in their final group match in Sharjah. Chasing a modest target of 137, India sailed through to the target in just 16.1 overs, thanks to an unbroken 143-run partnership between Vaibhav Suryavanshi (76*) and Ayush Mhatre (67*). Earlier, UAE, who opted to bat first, were bowled out for just 137, with six overs to spare. Muhammad Rayan was the top scorer for the UAE with 35, while Akshat Rai contributed with a valuable 26. Indian bowlers, led by Yudajit Guha, who took 3 wickets, were clinical in their approach. Chetan Sharma and Hardik Raj also played key roles with two wickets each.

This comfortable win has earned India a place in the semi-finals of the tournament, with both teams needing a victory to progress. India's dominance in the match was reflected in both their bowling and batting performances, as they successfully chased down the target without losing a single wicket. The result puts them in strong contention for the title as the tournament moves into its final stages.

Amidst the excitement of India’s victory, former Australian cricketer Ryan Harris addressed recent speculation regarding the Australian team, particularly the absence of Josh Hazlewood from the second Test of the series due to a side strain. Harris dismissed rumors of team factions and political issues within the squad, stating that such claims were unfounded and that players were allowed to be outplayed. Harris’s comments were in response to former cricketer Sunil Gavaskar’s observations on media dynamics and team politics. The second India vs Australia Test begins in Adelaide on Friday, marking an important chapter in the ongoing series.