Uday Saharan and Sachin Dhas, India's record duo at the U19 World Cup | cricket

Named after Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar, youngster Sachin Dhas played a magnificent knock to ensure Team India recovered from a first-class collapse in the first semi-final against South Africa on Tuesday. Uday Saharan and Dhas played powerful knocks in Team India's thrilling two-wicket win over the hosts in Benoni. The batting duo saved India from a precarious score of 32 for four and took the fifth wicket to a match-winning stand of 171 runs.

Uday Saharan (81) and Sachin Dhas (96) added 171 runs for the fifth wicket (Getty Images)

Sachin top-scored for Saharan and Co. in the first semi-final of the U-19 World Cup, hitting 96 off 95 balls as India reached the challenging target of 245 in 48.5 overs. Sachin is known for his six goals and turns 19 on Saturday. Sachin's father, Sanjay Dhas, named him after batting legend Tendulkar. Interestingly, Sachin's father Sanjay is a big fan of Sunil Gavaskar but still named his son after his second favorite cricketer.

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When Sachin's bat was checked by the organizers

Sachin's mother, Surekha Dhas, is an Assistant Police Inspector (API) with the Maharashtra Police. Sachin's parents played kabaddi at the state level and his father remained a cricketer at the university level. “I had decided before he was born that he would be a cricketer. “His training began when he was only four and a half years old,” said Sanjay Indian Express. Did you know? Sachin's bat came under scrutiny by the organizers as the young player earned plaudits for his six goals at a U-19 tournament in Pune. Sachin scored an impressive 116 against Nepal in the U-19 World Cup.

Sachin's teammate and India U-19 captain Uday is known for his risk-free batting. Saharan scored a century and a half in the U-19 World Cup. The Punjab batsman led India in the U19 Asia Cup in Dubai. He emerged as the top run-getter in the Under-19 Challenger Trophy in Guwahati. Saharan hit half-centuries and scored 297 runs in four innings.

Saharan's father also wanted to become a cricketer

Saharan featured for India as the defending champions lost two wickets for just eight runs. Saharan led the Indian team from the front and scored the winner with 81 off 124 balls. The India captain was bowled out for the winning goal. However, the captain's strike took India to the final of the U-19 World Cup for the ninth time. Saharan's father also wanted to become a cricketer. “He used to play the same way, going deep. So I tried to do the same. I knew I could make the big shots at the end if needed. As long as I was in the goal area, I knew the game was ours,” said Saharan after the semi-final encounter. With Sahara at the helm, unbeaten India are clear favorites to win the U-19 World Cup title on Sunday. India will be at the Summits will meet either Australia or Pakistan.