In an exceptional display of skill, Harjas Singh propelled Australia to their fourth U-19 World Cup victory with a remarkable half-century in the final showdown against India. His masterful innings of 55 runs off 64 balls proved pivotal in Australia’s commanding 79-run triumph in Benoni, South Africa. Before this standout performance, Harjas had struggled, accumulating just 49 runs across six matches.
However, when the stakes were highest, he rose to the occasion, cementing his place as a crucial asset for his team. Facing a daunting target of 254 runs, India faltered under pressure and were ultimately dismissed for 174, with Mahli Beardman and Raf MacMillan sharing six wickets between them. Harjas’s pivotal contribution with the bat, coupled with stellar bowling efforts from his teammates, secured Australia’s victory and cemented their dominance in the tournament.
Harjas Singh said: “I still have family back in Chandigarh and Amritsar. We have a house in Sector 44-D, but the last time I was there was 2015. Thereafter, cricket took over and I never got the opportunity. My uncle still lives there.”
“My parents sacrificed all their free time to ensure I got proper training. They work in the transport industry. They spent hours and a lot of their savings to help shape my career. As a young kid batting right-handed in the backyard, I was in danger of breaking the glass windows close by on the leg-side.
So, I started batting left-handed to avoid that potential crisis. And I’ve stuck to it! I bowl right-arm medium pacers though, and throw right-handed,” he again shared.
Born on January 31, 2005, in Sydney, Australia, to Indian parents who had relocated from Chandigarh, Harjas’s cricket journey began at the age of eight when he started playing for the Revesby Workers Cricket Club in New South Wales. Under the guidance of coach Neil D’Costa, who has mentored cricketing greats like Michael Clarke and Mitchell Starc, Harjas honed his skills and drew inspiration from his idol, Usman Khawaja.
He further added: “As a young kid batting right-handed in the backyard, I was in danger of breaking the glass windows close by on the leg-side. So, I started batting left-handed to avoid that potential crisis. And I’ve stuck to it! I bowl right-arm medium pacers though, and throw right-handed.”
A student at Westfield Sports High School, Fairfield, Harjas comes from a family with a rich sporting background. His father, Inderjit Singh, was a boxing champion in Punjab, while his mother, Avinder Kaur, excelled in long jump. Despite his natural talent, Harjas faced additional challenges due to his Indian heritage, motivating him to work tirelessly to distinguish himself in the sport.
Remarkably, Harjas initially batted as a right-hander but made the switch to batting left-handed. Reflecting on his journey, he acknowledged the perseverance required to overcome obstacles and carve out his path in cricket, emphasizing the importance of dedication and hard work in achieving success.
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