India faced England in the U-19 World Cup final in Harare in a calm mood that seemed almost defiant in its restraint. In a tournament often tinged with hype and talk of fate, the team, led by skipper Ayush Mhatre, has opted for a different style: neutral, clear and confident.If Aaron George’s words are any indication, this isn’t a team obsessed with grand schemes or running high on emotions. “There are no grand sermons and speeches. Under coach (Hrishikesh) Kanitkar sir, we believe in staying neutral and making our roles clear,” Aaron, a centurion in Wednesday’s semi-finals, told TOI.
Friday will be India’s sixth consecutive U-19 World Cup final, a streak that started in 2016. This will be their tenth final at this level, four more than second-placed Australia. “There’s pressure, but I don’t think it’s a burden,” he noted.Aaron’s impressive 115 in the semi-final against Afghanistan became the third-highest score by a batsman in the knockout stages of the U-19 World Cup, after Nicholas Pooran’s 143 in 2014 and Cheteshwar Pujara’s 129 in 2006.“He refused to see it as anything other than the next ball he needed to hit,” he said of the game-winning knock.“There’s no detailed blueprint for the finals,” Aaron said. The situation is already familiar, but India are happy to let the pitch “show itself”. Preparation is based on repetition rather than prediction to build muscle memory. George acknowledged that the summit conflict presented challenges you can’t rehearse.“You can prepare for hours at the net, but the game presents unique challenges that you can’t prepare for. This is where the calm, instinctive and honest process comes into play,” explains Aaron.Beyond the tactical level discussion, the base impact is also telling. “I listen to R&B and hip-hop to relax,” he said. Faith, prayer and daily life help him stay focused. “I don’t fear God, I love God.” There is also ambition. Aaron talks about wanting to be a three-format player for India.Aaron admits the pressure never goes away. “The difference is learning to coexist. This final is not seen as an extraordinary event but another game that requires discipline and composure. We will give 100 per cent,” he added.England will test that composure through high-intensity games.
