U19 World Cup 2024, IND vs SA Semifinal | Playing 11 Prediction, Cricket Tips, Preview & Live Streaming

Pandey has been the pick of the bowlers for India [X.com]

Indian U-19 face-off against South Africa U-19 in the first semifinal of the ICC U-19 World Cup 2024 in Benoni on Tuesday. The junior Asian rivals strive to retain their magnificent winning streak in the biannual tournament past the threatening hosts, who have conceded just one of their previous five matches of the competition. 

After securing a clean slate over three matches in Group A, the Indian U-19 led by Uday Saharan managed to suppress New Zealand and Nepal during the Super Six stage and stormed into the semifinals while Juan James' South African juggernaut lost one earlier versus England but have came back roaring since with a three-game unbeaten run. 

IND U19 vs U19: Team Previews 

India U19 

India would've been delighted to have won last game versus Nepal despite rejigging their batting unit, with skipper Saharan and Sachin Das producing centuries in the middle-order and taking the team to a daunting and match-winning score. 

Saharan has led India U-19s from the front in the tournament and with 308 runs in five innings has been one of their two stand-out batting performers alongside numero uno Musheer Khan, who has hammered two hundreds and compiled 334 runs. 

On the bowling front, steady left-arm spinner Saumy Pandey has been terrific. He took 4 for 29 against Nepal to add to his tournament tally, which now stands at 16 in five innings at an average of just 6.62 while conceding only 2.17 runs an over. 

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South Africa U19

South Africa's allround unit hasn't been packing as strong a punch as the Indians but they would take hope and confidence from the contributions made throughout the competition by their top-scorer Steve Stolk (214) and his opening partner Lhuan-Dre Pretorious (211), who have kept the South Africans noses ahead. 

Left-arm pacer Kwena Maphaka has been one of the finds of this U-19 World Cup with his pace and hostility accounting for 18 scalps in five matches at a stellar average of 9.55 and an economy rate of less than 4. 

Maphaka has been provided able support at the other end by right-arm seamer Riley Norton, who has bagged 11 wickets in the campaign at just 13.54 apiece while carrying an economy rate of 5.35. South Africa will depend quite heavily on this quartet to give Indians a hard time in the middle. 

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IND U19  vs SA U19: Match Details & Live Streaming 

IND U19 vs SA U19: Benoni Pitch Report

The pitch at the Willowmoore Park in Benoni has been one of the low-scoring ones for the ongoing U-19 World Cup. The last game played here between Pakistan and Bangladesh was one of the biggest cliff-hangers as Pakistan U19 managed to defend their horrific first-innings total of 155 by just five runs. The dry strip of the ground has been conducive to spinners and also offered pacers uneven bounce. It's a track where Indians will have to be wary of the Proteas seamers.

IND U19 vs SA U19: Probable Playing XIs

IND U19 vs SA U19: Cricket Exchange Fantasy Tips

IND U19 vs SA U19: Winning Prediction

India would be slightly wary of the Proteas seamers, who must come to the party if they are to stop the run-flow against rampaging Indian batters. India U19 start off as slight favourites against a Proteas unit which hasn't quite peaked with its game yet. 

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