Benoni (South Africa), Feb 8

The camaraderie in the dressing room has played a significant role in the Indian team’s dominant run in the U19 World Cup, skipper Uday Sharan said today as he vowed to bring the trophy back home.

It is a dream for all of us to win this tournament. Everyone gets only one Under-19 World Cup and we want to repeat history. The secret to our good performance is team bonding. That is why the performance graph has been consistently good. Uday Saharan, India Captain

Defending champions India have not lost a single match in the tournament. They have logged big-margin victories and were not tested till they bumped into hosts South Africa in the semifinals in which they scored a narrow two-wicket win.

India have been a force to reckon with in the Under-19 World Cup, reaching the title clash seven times in the last nine editions.

“It is a dream for all of us to win this tournament. Everyone gets only one Under-19 World Cup and we want to repeat history,” Saharan said. “We also want to register our names in history. We are focused on giving our best. We promise to give everything to bring the cup back,” he added.

India’s power-packed performance in the tournament was highlighted by three 200-plus-run margin wins. “The secret to our good performance is team bonding. The atmosphere in the dressing room is very friendly. Everyone trusts each other and is ready to help each other. That is why the performance graph has been consistently good,” said Saharan, who spent his early days in Sri Ganganagar before shifting to the border town of Fazilka in Punjab.

“We are not focusing on the rival team, we are concentrating on our own game. We have made a match-by-match strategy and are taking every match seriously,” Saharan, who has scored 389 runs in six matches so far, said.

Asked if the Indian colts would have revenge on their minds when they play against Australia in the final since the senior team had lost to them in the ODI World Cup final last year, Saharan said, “I am not thinking anything like that. We are focusing on our game and we have to give our best. We are playing according to the match conditions.”

Finisher

Chasing a target of 245 in their semifinal against South Africa, Saharan pulled the team out of trouble after it had lost four wickets for just 32 runs. “I chose to be the finisher and I will try to fulfil the responsibility till the end, to take the team to victory. I remain calm even if the match is in a tight spot. It is important to keep the mind working,” he added.

A lot of stalwarts such as Mohammad Kaif, Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill and Ravindra Jadeja emerged from the Under-19 World Cup. Saharan refused comparisons with these stars, saying he won’t take the pressure of legacy. “I don’t think about the past. I just think about how I can give my best for the team and how to get the best out of the team,” he said.

“Shubman is also from Fazilka and has emerged from Under-19 World Cup, which is inspiring. My aim from the beginning was also to make my country proud,” he said. “Virat Kohli is my favourite because his passion and aggression are amazing. His love for the game, enthusiasm and desire to win inspire me. I have never met him but we have talked on the team video call. I want to meet him very soon,” he added.