Punjab’s Ranji Trophy skipper Mandeep Singh remembers a teenager who came along to challenge his dominance at the yo-yo test. That boy, Uday Saharan, not only showed impressive fitness but also caught the eye with his leadership skills.
‘You can see that attitude, that ‘boss, I am not here just to attend the camp, I want to be best at everything,” Mandeep Singh tells The Indian Express. ‘Also, at a young age, Uday was challenging the seniors to do well. He is talented, that’s why he is playing for India U-19, but he had that extra spark in him. He is never satisfied with himself.’
All those traits were visible on Tuesday against South Africa in the U-19 World Cup semi-final in Benoni. Uday walked out with the team reeling at 8 for 2 in the chase of 245. South Africa’s pace duo Kwena Maphaka and Tristan Luus were at their intimidating best.
Soon, India was 32 for 4, but the Indian captain showed exemplary leadership quality by continuously talking to his partner Sachin Dhas. The duo put on 171 runs for the fifth wicket, which helped India to a two-wicket victory and their fifth straight final.