On November 19, 2023, India`s much-cherished dream came crashing down to earth at the Motera Stadium. Australia walloped India by six wickets to win the for a historic sixth time. Opener Travis Head played the innings of his life scoring an unbeaten 137 and was involved in a belligerent 192-run partnership with Marnus Labuschagne, thereby batting India out of the game. India`s only hope was KL Rahul and their pacers, but it was not to be. And the prayers remained unanswered.

Now, two months and 21 days later, Indian colts take on Australia’s young turks in South Africa’s Benoni which has the potential to bury the ghost of the Motera. Over the years, both senior and junior Indian teams have done enough at home and on tour to not just confront Australian supremacy, but deal them the knockout punches. Sure, the stage may be different, but nothing else but a win in a final can be the exact revenge for that fateful day in mid-November.