Mohit Ulva’s 49 off 26 balls wins U19 Asia Cup for India

Mohit Ulva hit an unbeaten 49 off 26 balls to give India a one-wicket win over Pakistan in the Under-19 Asia Cup final at the Al Amerat Cricket Ground in Muscat on Saturday, November 14.

According to Sportstar, the 18-year-old came to the crease with India on 252 for eight, needing another 84 runs. He added 57 for the ninth wicket with Manal Chauhan, then 29 for the last wicket with C. Venkata. He was named Player of the Match.

The sources differ on his position in the order. Sportstar says he batted at No. 8, while Moneycontrol has him at number 10. Both agree on the result.

A ninth title for India

India now have nine U19 Asia Cup titles and their first since 2021. They take the trophy back from Pakistan, who won the 2025 edition. Sportstar’s winners list shows India also won in 1989, 2003, 2013–14, 2016, 2018, 2019 and 2021, and shared the 2012 title with Pakistan. Afghanistan (2017) and Bangladesh (2023 and 2024) are the other winners.

Ulva also contributes with the ball. Sportstar reports that he opens the bowling for India and took three wickets at this tournament. He had earlier taken five wickets in a three-match youth one-day series against Australia.

From tennis-ball cricket to Jamnagar

Moneycontrol, citing Sportstar, reports that Ulva first played tennis-ball cricket in his village. His father, who works for the Railway Protection Force, saw promise in him and steered him towards a formal academy. Ulva said his own motivation at the start was rather different: he first agreed to play, he said, “because I wanted to escape studying”.

He later trained at the Cricket Bungalow in Jamnagar, Gujarat, under Mahendrasinh Chauhan, who also coached India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja. Moneycontrol says sessions began with 24 or 25 warm-up laps, followed by sprints and other fitness work. “In Jamnagar, I learnt that fitness is the most important thing as Mahendra Sir worked a lot on it,” Ulva said.

Ulva began as an off-spinner, but Chauhan noticed his lean frame and running ability and suggested he try fast bowling. “I started doing it and naturally developed into a fast bowler,” he said.

Which matters more in a final like this, a calm finisher with the bat or a bowler who can also win it with the ball? Share your view in the comments.