Aakash Chopra names two India U19 players who impressed him during U19 World Cup 2024

Cricketer-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra has named two Under 19 India players who impressed him the most during the recent India Under 19 World Cup 2024. Aakash Chopra was highly impressed by Sachin Dhas and Uday Saharan. Aakash Chopra also hailed their knocks in the semi-final encounter against South Africa.

India U19 team lost to Australia U19 in the ICC Under-19 World Cup 2024 final. Indian team, led by Uday Saharan, could not chase down 254 runs in the match. With a lethal bowling attack, the Australian team gave a big blow to India’s top order. They hunted down the first six wickets for just 91 runs on the scoreboard.

India lost their six key batters Arshin Kulkarni (3), Uday Saharan (8), Musheer Khan (22), Sachin Dhas (9), Priyanshu Moliya (0), and Aravelly Avanish (0) cheaply. In the end, the men-in-blue were bundled out for just 174, losing the game by a huge margin.

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Aakash Chopra praises Uday Saharan and Sachin Dhas

Speaking about the India U19 team’s performance in the ICC U19 World Cup 2024 on his YouTube channel, reputed commentator Aakash Chopra heaped praises on Sachin Dhas and Uday Saharan.

He said that the duo impressed him the most during the tournament. Sachin Dhas mustered 303 runs across 7 games at a stunning batting average of 60.60. He shattered 1 ton and 1 fifty in the tournament.

“I liked Sachin Dhas a lot based on whatever I saw. I agree he got out to a spinner in the final. He plays the pull very well and plays good drives as well. He has got that flair. The pulls he hit against South Africa were to the left of midwicket. You need a special ability to do that”.

“His arms open up, they don’t get cramped. If someone’s arms get cramped, he plays square and in the air. If your arms open up and you are able to make the impact away from the body, it means you have time, you can keep the ball down and hit towards midwicket. I have marked him as a good player”, said Chorpa, who played 10 Tests for India during 2003-04.

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Uday Saharan’s game sense is very good, feels Aakash Chopra

With 397 runs across 7 games, Indian skipper Uday Saharan finished as the highest run-getter in the ICC U19 World Cup 2024. Averaging 56+, he stormed 1 century and 3 half-centuries in the tournament. Aakash Chopra lauded Saharan’s game sense and ability to build an innings.

“The second player I liked was Uday Saharan. He is a very good player. His game sense is very good. He plays cautiously and knows how to build an innings. He has an understanding of how to play cricket. His and Sachin’s semi-final knocks were both very good,” the 46-year-old concluded.

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Notably, Uday Saharan and Sachin Dhas scored spectacular knocks of 81 and 86 respectively in the semi-final against South Africa. They helped the team to secure a victory after they lost 4 wickets for just 34 runs at the start.