India U-19 batter Mohit Ulva has explained the emotions behind the team’s animated celebrations following their dramatic one-wicket victory over Pakistan in the Under-19 Asia Cup final, insisting that the players were simply celebrating their triumph and had no intention of provoking their opponents.Mohit, who played a decisive role in India’s remarkable chase with an unbeaten 49 off just 26 balls, said the celebrations were a natural reaction to the occasion, given the intensity of an India-Pakistan contest and the fact that it was a final.The celebrations that followed, however, became a talking point, with several Indian players facing criticism on social media for their aggressive gestures towards the Pakistani players.Mohit revealed that the celebrations were a spontaneous expression of the emotions surrounding an India-Pakistan final. He also recalled how the Indian youngsters had not taken Pakistan’s celebrations during the league-stage encounter personally.“It is natural. It was an India vs Pakistan match, and additionally, a final. The way they celebrated after beating us in the league stage. Actually, we were not even taking their celebration personally. We were thinking that they were celebrating their own victory. It doesn’t matter what they do.“We did likewise. We were celebrating our own victory. It had emotions, aggression, and everything. We weren’t doing it to show them anything. We were celebrating among ourselves, and everything was natural,” Mohit told Star Sports.
‘I couldn’t believe I had finished it’
India were staring at defeat after slipping to 252/8 in the 42nd over of the chase. However, Mohit and Manal Chauhan refused to give up, putting together a crucial 57-run partnership for the ninth wicket to keep India’s hopes alive.Manal scored 47 off 32 balls before departing, leaving India needing 36 more runs with just one wicket remaining. Mohit then received support from No. 11 C Venkata, who remained unbeaten on 11 off eight deliveries.The equation eventually came down to three runs off the final ball, with Mohit finding the boundary to seal the title. Recalling the extraordinary finish, the youngster admitted that he was initially unable to process what had happened.“Actually, I was completely zoned out after hitting three runs on one ball with a four. I didn’t know that everyone was running to me; everything was happening.“It was done; I finished the game. Until it was over, I believed that I would finish it. But after I did it, I couldn’t believe that I had finished it. So, I was a little zoned out.“After a while, I realised that it was actually over. Everyone was getting up, everyone was celebrating. So, I celebrated a little. I went to the supporters of India, who were sitting there the whole day. I went to them and celebrated with them. It’s a very good feeling. Even now, it’s a very good feeling for me. Because for my family, for my country, for India, it’s a good feeling to win such a match,” he added.
‘No one had any doubt’
Mohit also revealed that the Indian dressing room remained confident of pulling off the chase despite losing eight wickets. The young batter credited the encouragement he received from the team’s support staff and his conversations with Manal for helping him remain composed during the decisive phase.According to Mohit, the plan was straightforward: one of the two batters needed to stay until the final delivery and take India home.“No one had any doubt that we wouldn’t be able to do it. Everyone knew that our team had the capability to do it. I was there when we were already 8 wickets down.“Sir gave me the confidence that if I play the last ball, I’ll do it. Manal was playing; I talked to him. Manal told me to stay till the end. If any one of us plays the last ball, we’ll win. Whatever Manal and I planned, whatever we thought, at that moment, it happened. Actually, our execution was on point.“We needed a lot of luck in that. Because anything can happen out of the box. We thought that if this plan was going on, they might even bluff in the plan. But they didn’t. Everything went on point, as we had planned. At that time, I was very calm. I was feeling good inside. It was a natural moment. It was a natural celebration for me,” he added.Mohit’s unbeaten knock and Manal’s crucial contribution helped India pull off one of their most memorable victories in the tournament, completing a successful chase of 338 to defeat Pakistan by one wicket off the final ball.
