U19 World Cup 2024: India U19 coach Hrishikesh Kanitkar focused on 'decision-making' ahead of final vs Australia

U19 World Cup 2024: India U19 coach Hrishikesh Kanitkar focused on ‘decision-making’ ahead of final vs Australia

India’s Under-19 head coach Hrishikesh Kanitkar has said that he is focusing on the ‘decision-making’ aspect of the players ahead of their U19 World Cup final against Australia.

The two sides are set to clash at the Sahara Park Willowmoore Cricket Stadium in Benoni on Sunday, February 11. India will have a chance of lifting the U19 World Cup for a record-extending sixth time, having triumphed in 2000, 2008, 2012, 2018 and 2022.

Speaking to ICC, Kanitkar said he is focused on getting the players to make the right decisions on the field by tapping in their own experiences. Both India and Australia come into the final unbeaten. However, India has won all its matches while Australia were held to a no-result against the West Indies in the Super-6 stage.

“They are still coming up in terms of experience. It is also about utilizing and considering their experience, what they have done on these pitches against good oppositions. The combination of both does the trick usually. They know how to bat, bowl, field, are really good at it. They have all the attacking strokes,” said Kanitkar.

“It is just about getting them to know what is the right decision, to handle certain situation or pitches. It is more mental and about decision-making,” Kanitkar added.

Speaking about India’s narrow in over South Africa in the semi-final, Kanitkar said a result like that helps in keeping the team honest. Skipper Uday Saharan and batter Sachin Dhas helped India beat South Africa by two wickets in a thrilling semi-final.

“It keeps you honest (close finishes in big matches). It was a great match. South Africa challenged us all the way and were really good. Just be natural, keep it simple,” said Kanitkar.

Kanitkar said he expects both teams to get overwhelmed by the occasion, insisting that they will try to keep their side in control during the final.

“They will get overwhelmed. But it is expected from both the teams. Both are of same age, have played a similar kind of cricket. They will go through all those emotions.We will try to keep them in control and calm as much as possible. Once the preparation is done, you just need to have faith in them and let them do what they want to,” Saharan added.

India will be gunning for their sixth U19 World Cup title, while Australia will be aiming to lift the trophy for the fourth time in their history.

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