"Our Diwali Was Ruined, We Gave Them Fitting Reply": India U19 Star On Celebrations vs Pakistan U19

India beat Pakistan in a dramatic U19 Asia Cup 2026 final© BCCI

India U-19 cricketer Rajat Baghel described the team's one-wicket victory over Pakistan in the U-19 Asia Cup final as a special moment, saying the win served as a comeback after their earlier defeat to Pakistan during the tournament. Speaking to ANI on Sunday, Baghel recalled how the previous defeat, which came around Diwali, had disappointed the team. He said winning the final was particularly satisfying as the players maintained their belief until the last ball. "It was a very special feeling. When we lost earlier on Diwali, our Diwali was ruined, so this was a good comeback. It was the final match, so we just had to win. Our team believed in every single player that we could do it until the very last ball," he said.

Reflecting on the team's celebrations after the victory, Baghel said the players were satisfied with the result and enjoyed the moment, adding that their response on the field came after actions from the opposition during the previous encounter.

"There was a lot of satisfaction, and we enjoyed it very much because they were doing a lot on the field, so we gave them a fitting reply," he said.

Addressing the celebrations, he clarified that the Indian players had responded to the opposition's earlier actions and said they would not have celebrated in that manner otherwise.

"Regarding the celebration, they started it first in the previous match. Maybe it wasn't caught on camera, but we wouldn't have done it unless someone else acted like that first," he added.

Baghel also dedicated the team's triumph to the support staff, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and everyone involved in running domestic cricket in the country.

"We dedicate this win to all our support staff, the BCCI, and everyone running domestic cricket in India," he said.

Coming to the match, Pakistan opted to bat first, putting 337/9 on the board with a century from Usman Khan (107 in 111 balls, with 11 fours and three sixes) and fifties from Abdul Qadir (80 in 54 balls, with three fours and eight sixes) and Farhan Yousaf (63 in 60 balls, with four boundaries and three sixes).

India started off well, with skipper Lakshya Raichandani (80 in 101 balls, with five fours) and Sehwag (58 in 61 balls, with nine fours) putting a 95-run opening stand. However, they soon collapsed to 252/8. A crucial partnership of 67-runs came from Manal Chauhan (47 in 32 balls, with three fours and three sixes) and Mohit Ulva. After Manal's dismissal, Mohit (49* in 26 balls, with five fours and three sixes) took India to a win, with Chigurupati Venkata (11*) playing a crucial supporting hand.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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