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India‘s enthralling victory by two wickets over South Africa in the U-19 World Cup 2024 semi-final was highlighted by Sachin Dhas’ stellar performance. Chasing a challenging target of 245, the Men in Blue faced early setbacks, reaching 32/4 in 11.2 overs. However, a remarkable partnership unfolded between captain Uday Saharan (81) and Sachin Dhas (96), with a stand of 171 for the fifth wicket. This pivotal collaboration stabilized the innings, leading India to a nail-biting win.
Important role in India’s U-19 World Cup semi-final victory
Dhas emerged as the hero of the game, showcasing brilliance with the bat. His splendid innings of 96 included 11 fours and a six, proving instrumental in India’s successful chase. The 19-year-old’s exceptional form continued, following his impressive 116 (101) against Nepal in the group stage, narrowly missing out on a second consecutive century in the tournament. The U-19 World Cup has witnessed Dhas’s consistent and impactful contributions, solidifying his position as a key player in India’s campaign.
Also READ: U19 World Cup 2024: Uday Saharan and Sachin Dhas’ record partnership against South Africa takes India to the final
Emerging talents illuminate India’s U-19 World Cup campaign
This tournament has been a breeding ground for India’s burgeoning cricketing talents, unveiling a promising cohort of young players. Among them, Captain Saharan has distinguished himself as the leading run-scorer in the tournament, showcasing his batting prowess and leadership skills. Notably, Musheer Khan, the brother of Sarfaraz Khan, has left an indelible mark with his performances, impressing cricket enthusiasts.
Here are some intriguing facts about emerging talent Sachin Dhas:
Adding to the rising stars is Dhas, whose sublime batting has been a consistent highlight throughout the competition. Dhas’s proficiency with the bat has been evident in every inning, establishing him as a key contributor to India’s success on the global U-19 stage.:
1. Early years and Family of achievers: Hailing from Beed, Maharashtra, Dhas was born on February 3, 2005. Both of Dhas’ parents are government servants. His mother, Surekha Dhas, is an Assistant Police Inspector in Maharashtra Police and was a Kabaddi Player during her time. His father, Sanjay Dhas, works in the health and medical sector of the state government.
2. Name inspired by legends: Named after the legendary Sachin Tendulkar, Dhas’ father, himself a cricket enthusiast, had planned to mold his son into a cricketer even before his birth. Tendulkar and Sunil Gavaskar are Dhas’ father two favourite cricketers.
3. Dedication and sacrifices: Sanjay, a former university-level cricketer, prepared turf wickets by borrowing money to train his son. Overcoming the water crisis in Beed, he arranged water tankers every second or third day to keep the wickets fresh. Sachin’s coach, Sheikh Azhar, played a crucial role in shaping his talent.
4. Cricketing role: Dhas is a right-handed middle-order batter and a right-arm off-break bowler. He has embraced the role of a finisher in the team, showcasing consistency and maturity beyond his years.
5. Rise through the ranks: Dhas initially played in the Under-14 National School Cricket Tournament and gradually climbed the success ladder. Representing the under-14 Maharashtra Cricket Association team, his standout performances earned him a spot in India’s under-19 squad for the Asia Cup.
6. MPL stardom: The Maharashtra Premier League (MPL) 2023 proved to be a turning point for Dhas as he represented the Kolhapur Tuskers, led by Kedar Jadhav, garnering attention for the first time.
7. U-19 World Cup Impact: Currently, Dhas stands as the third-highest run-scorer of the U-19 World Cup, accumulating 294 runs from six innings at an impressive average of 73.50 and a strike rate of 116.66.
