Under-19 World Cup 2024

Watch: India U19 captain attempts to ramp head-high beamer before narrowly avoiding mix-up in chaotic delivery

by Wisden Staff January 26, 2024 - 4:56am 2 minute read

Watch: A chaotic delivery in the U19 World Cup yesterday (January 25) almost ended in disaster for India’s captain Uday Saharan, when a missed ramp shot almost ended in a calamitous run out.

India U19s recorded a thumping 200-run victory over Ireland in Bloemfontein, scoring 301-7 batting first before bowling their opposition out for 100. Musheer Khan and Saharan scored the bulk of the runs for India, sharing a 156-run stand for the third wicket, Khan reaching a memorable century.

As the pair looked to accelerate through the last ten overs, John McNally came on to bowl what would be an eventful 43rd over. His first ball was a wide, before Saharan hit a four off his second legal delivery. The third ball slipped out of McNally’s hand and reached Saharan well above shoulder height. Saharan jumped in the air with both feet off the ground in an attempt to play a ramp shot. He made connection with the ball but only managed to run it down the ground to the fielder behind square.

At the other end, Khan had decided to attempt a quick single, perhaps knowing that the next ball would be a free-hit for the head-height no-ball. However, with the ball going straight to the fielder the single was incredibly risky. Having turned around to see Khan over halfway down the pitch, Saharan sent him back, briefly considering trying to make the non-striker’s end before deciding against it.

The drama in the over didn’t end there. McNally was taken out of the attack following another above waist-height no ball from his fourth delivery. Finn Lutton was brought on to close out the over, but bowled yet another no ball from his first delivery, which was hit for six by Khan. Three singles brought a calm end to a ten-ball, two-bowler over.