IND Vs RSA, U-19 WC Semi-Final: India Beat South Africa By Two Wickets, Enter Final; IND U-19 - 248-8 (48.5 Overs), RSA U-19 - 244/7 (50 Overs) - As It Happened

India have defeated hosts South Africa by two wickets to book their spot in the final of the ICC U-19 Men's Cricket World Cup in Benoni. Chasing a modest target of 245, Uday Saharan (81) and Sachin Dhas (96) stitched a 150-plus stand partnership to bail India out of trouble after early wickets. Earlier, Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Richard Seletswane scored half-centuries to help South Africa register 244/7 in 50 overs. Uday Saharan won the toss and opted to bowl against South Africa in the first semi-final of the Under-19 World Cup on Tuesday.

Hello and welcome to our live blog coverage of the first semi-final of ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup 2024, featuring defending champions India and hosts South Africa. Uday Saharan and Co have had a spotless campaign so far, and will be eyeing yet another final appearance at the biennial event. As for the Proteas, this is a chance to bank on home support and update the title favourites with a strong display. Follow all the live updates of the IND vs RSA match in Benoni here. (Streaming | Key Battles)

India U-19: Arshin Kulkarni, Adarsh Singh, Rudra Mayur Patel, Sachin Dhas, Priyanshu Moliya, Musheer Khan, Uday Saharan (c), Aravelly Avanish Rao, Saumy Kumar Pandey, Murugan Abhishek, Innesh Mahajan, Dhanush Gowda, Aaradhya Shukla, Raj Limbani, Naman Tiwari.

South Africa U-19: David Teeger, Juan James (c), Martin Khumalo, Tristan Luus, Kwena Maphaka, Dewan Marias, Riley Norton, Nqobani Mokoena, Romashan Pillay, Sipho Potsane, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Richard Seletswane, Oliver Whitehead, Steve Stolk, Ntando Zuma.

With five wins from as many games, India are unbeaten and have hardly put a foot wrong in the tournament so far. They have defeated Bangladesh, Ireland, USA, New Zealand and Nepal along the way and not even broken a sweat to do it. They will be expecting the in-form players - top-order batter Musheer Khan and left-arm spinner Saumy Pandey - to deliver the goods in the crunch encounter.

South Africa, on the other hand, lost to England in a rain-curtailed game. But that was the only blemish in their otherwise strong campaign so far. Juan James' team has set aside West Indies, Scotland, Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka and will be eager to account for the Boys In Blue too.

India U19 have won the toss and have opted to field

Teams:

South Africa U19 (Playing XI): Lhuan-dre Pretorius(w), Steve Stolk, David Teeger, Richard Seletswane, Dewan Marais, Juan James(c), Oliver Whitehead, Riley Norton, Tristan Luus, Nqobani Mokoena, Kwena Maphaka

India U19 (Playing XI): Adarsh Singh, Arshin Kulkarni, Priyanshu Moliya, Uday Saharan(c), Sachin Dhas, Musheer Khan, Aravelly Avanish(w), Murugan Abhishek, Raj Limbani, Naman Tiwari, Saumy Pandey

Uday Saharan | India U-19 Captain: We'll bowl first. There is usually something going on in the morning, and this is a new wicket for us. We always wanted to bowl first; but, we lost the toss a few occasions, so we have always had to bat. We are well prepared; the pressure and outside noise do not disturb us. We merely want to fulfil our ideas.

Juan James | South Africa U-19 Captain: I would have wanted to bowl first as well. I just want the lads to enjoy themselves. We are confident in our ability to beat them since we have done so twice. One change for us.

Long hit down the ground (82m), although the leg side boundary is 67m. Not shocked to see India bowl first; they did so in the series preceding the World Cup. The surface is fairly dry, and pacers have performed well on this track. There is a bit more grass between 6 and 8 metres. India must ensure that South Africa does not get off to a quick start and take advantage of the available conditions.

Young pacer Raj Limbani opened the bowling attack from Indian side and conceded just one run in his opening over. Steve Stolk and Lhuan-dre Pretorius are opening the batting for South Africa.

RSA U-19 - 1/0 (1)

Steve Stolk was shuffling inward, while Limbani continued pushing it wider. This was back of a length and wide, tempting Stolk into a cut shot, and the ball finds an edge and goes through to the keeper. India strikes early!

RSA U-19 - 23/1 (5)

Pitched fuller on the outer, with a hint of inward seam movement. Good enough to beat David Teeger, who inside edges it back onto his middle stump. Raj Limbani is on a roll right now!

RSA U-19 - 47/2 (9)

India's highest wicket-taker in the tournament Saumy Pandey was introduced late into the attack and came to bowl the 13th over after Murugan Abhishek and Arshin Kulkarni. However, he conceded two runs off his first over. India U-19 team is in search of another breakthrough.

RSA U-19 - 63/2 (13)

South African opener Lhuan-dre Pretorius completed his half-century in the 19th over of the Proteas innings. His inning has been a mixture of aggression and caution. He targeted bowlers when they bowl bad deliveries and well-played good deliveries. Richard Seletswane has been given good support there.

RSA U-19 - 90/2 (20)

Pretorius almost got trapped in the web of Priyanshu Moliya when he beat him and keeper Aravelly Avanish stumped him. The keeper and bowler were very confident. But the replay showed he was inside the line. Very tough call for the Third Umpire as well, but the batter survived.

RSA U-19 - 112/2 (28)

Pretorius looks in awe as Abhishek makes an incredible catch. It was blasted violently off the pads and rocketed to short midwicket, where Abhishek demonstrated exceptional reactions. He holds on to the reverse-cup, and Musheer strikes. He's completely stoked.

RSA U-19 - 128/3 (34)

Looks for a slog sweep but misses it! It lobs up off a heavy top-edge, and Dhas takes the grab wonderfully, going to his right from the point. Musheer's little move was enough to prevent Whitehead's shot from going in.

RSA U-19 - 163/4 (40)

Marais holed out in deep. Full on middle and leg, he looks for a slog-sweep but fails to clear the midwicket line. Abhishek is safely holding it a few yards within the lines. Saumy Pandey gets another.

RSA U-19 - 177/5 (43)

Raj Limbani came to bowl the 46th over and he conceded 16 runs from that. Juan James started with a boundary then set batter Richard Seletswane smashed two more boundaries to extract 16 off the over.

RSA U-19 - 211/5 (46)

Back of the length delivery and Seletswane tried to smash it hard. Moliya enters from the cover boundary and hangs on while moving. Takes a good catch. Seletswane departs.

RSA U-19 - 215/6 (47)

Edged and gone! Full in the slot right outside off, James looks for a huge hit but only manages to nick through to the goalie.

RSA U-19 - 221/7 (48)

Tristan Luus showcased some big hits to take the South African scorecard to a respectable total of 244/7 in 50 overs. India need to achieve this target in 50 overs to play the highly coveted final of ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup 2024 on Sunday.

Brief Score: RSA U-19 - 244/7 (50)

Lhuan-dre Pretorius - 76 (102), Richard Seletswane - 64 (100) | Raj Limbani: (9-0-60-3)

It was very tough. I wanted to stay till the end, take it deep. I told myself to stay patient, they will give me a bad ball. I think we have a very good score, it is tough to bat on this wicket.

India begin run-chase with Adarsh Singh out on the first delivery with a short ball from Kwena Maphaka.

Musheer Khan, who had a great tournament, was dismissed by Tristan Luus for 4 runs. India are in a spot of bother in the run-chase.

RSA U-19 - 244/7 (50)

IND U-19 - 10/2 (5)

Another one bites the dust and it's Arshin Kulkarni. Tristan Luus is breathing fire at the moment and the Indian colts just cannot bear the pace. India have lost three wickets inside ten overs.

RSA U-19 - 244/7 (50)

IND U-19 - 26/3 (10)

Priyanshu Moliya was the fourth wicket to be dismissed by the Proteas as the home side eye a spot in the final. Uday Saharan remains the only hope for India if they are to get anywhere near 245.

RSA U-19 - 244/7 (50)

IND U-19 - 41/4 (15)

Indian batter Sachin Dhas has come out fighting as he as slammed 30 runs off 30 deliveries to give Proteas something to think about. Still a long way to go in the runchase.

RSA U-19 - 244/7 (50)

IND U-19 - 79/4 (21)

India's Sachin Dhas has brought up his fifty in blistering fashion by punishing Oliver Whitehead with a boundary. Dhas and skipper Uday Saharan have added 85-runs for the fifth wicket.

RSA U-19 - 244/7 (50)

IND U-19 - 117/4 (27)

The partnership of Sachin Dhas and Uday Saharan have frustrated the Proteas attack. The duo have put away the bad balls with much ease especially Dhas who is nearing the triple figure mark.

RSA U-19 - 244/7 (50)

IND U-19 - 168/4 (36)

Indian batters Sachin Dhas and Uday Saharan have brought up 150-run stand for the fifth wicket. They need 52 runs inside ten overs with six wickets in hand.

South Africa's leading wicket-taker Kwena Maphaka struck by removing the dangerous Sachin Dhas for 96. The slower delivery done the trick as the ball got stuck into the pitch and Dhas couldn't middle it and the ball fell straight into the fielder's hands.

RSA U-19 - 244/7 (50)

IND U-19 - 207/5 (43)

Despite Sachin Dhas' wicket, skipper Uday Saharan remains key for India if they are to reach the target of 245. They need 21 runs in the final four overs.

Despite a dramatic ending to the game, India never looked off the run-chase with Uday Saharan and Sachin Dhas. The duo motored along as they added 150-plus runs for the fifth wicket to take India towards victory. Proteas made a climatic ending but India got it in the end.

IND U-19 - 248-8 (48.5 Overs),

RSA U-19 - 244/7

 We were well behind at one point. Kept saying one thing that we have to bat till the end. Was a matter of one partnership. We don't let the morale get low in the dressing room at all - our environment and coaches are superb. Great feeling to reach the final. Got a taste of close games.

They bowled really well. When they were batting when we had them 4 down, Uday and Sachin batted really well. Something we've struggled with the whole tournament. Thing that stands out most for me is never giving up. Want to thank everyone for coming out for every single game.